Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-24
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 7.5)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists, in millions, who visited a Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, distinguishing between those staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island, as well as showing the overall figure.
Overall, the total number of visitors increased substantially over the period, more than tripling from 1 million to 3.5 million. While the number of tourists staying on the island rose moderately, cruise-ship visitors experienced a particularly pronounced increase and became the larger group by 2016.
In 2010, approximately 0.75 million tourists stayed on the island, compared with just 0.25 million who stayed on cruise ships. The former figure remained unchanged in 2011 before climbing to 1.25 million in 2012 and reaching 1.5 million in 2013. It then remained stable until 2015, fell slightly to 1.25 million in 2016, and recovered to 1.5 million in 2017.
By contrast, cruise-ship visitors fluctuated initially, rising from 0.25 million to 0.5 million in 2011 before dropping to 0.25 million in 2012. Thereafter, the figure increased steadily, reaching 2 million in 2017. Consequently, total visitor numbers rose sharply, particularly after 2013.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
You have provided a very strong response that fully addresses the requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the overall upward trend and the shift in popularity between the two categories of tourists. The comparison between cruise-ship visitors and island-staying tourists is clear and well-supported by the data provided. Your overview is concise and effectively highlights the most significant trends, which is essential for a high band score. All parts of the prompt are covered, and the data is used accurately to illustrate the points made throughout the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'thereafter', and 'consequently' to link your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends, making the report easy to follow. The referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily distinguish between the two categories of tourists throughout the text. The structure is professional and contributes to the overall clarity of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'pronounced increase', 'fluctuated', and 'remained stable'. The language is natural and appropriate for an academic report. You avoid repetition by using synonyms like 'former figure' to refer back to previously mentioned data. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific academic phrases could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication or cause confusion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, which are handled accurately. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that distract the reader. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate a good grasp of tense usage when describing past trends. The flow of the text is natural, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response. You have maintained a formal tone throughout the entire piece.
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