Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-25
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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the data that represent the figures of the tourists who visit the island between 2010 and 2017. The graph divides the visitors into two different categories one who are staying on the cruise ship, while the other category is about the visitors who are staying And there is one line that shows the total numbers.
Visitors staying on the cruise ship were lowest in 2010 as compared to visitors who are staying on the island. From 2011, numbers are significantly lower for visitors staying on the cruise ship. Moreover, in 2013,2014, 2015, 2016,2017 numbers are increasing to 0.5 million to 1 million, 1.3 million, 1.5 million to 2 million significantly.
Meanwhile for visitors staying on island the line is fluctuating in 2010 and 2011 numbers have been same but from 2012 numbers started to get high about 1.5 million. In 2013 to 2015 numbers stayes the same in 1.5 million but in 2016 numbers have declined.In 2017 numbers have increased to 1.5 million visitors.
So, the total numbers of visitors are increasing in 2010 to 2015. In 2016 there was no visible changed occur but 2017 have the highest amount of visitors from 3.5 millions
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the two categories of visitors and the total. However, the reporting of data is inconsistent and at times inaccurate. For example, the description of the cruise ship visitors as increasing from '0.5 million to 1 million, 1.3 million, 1.5 million to 2 million' is confusing and does not clearly reflect the trends shown in the graph. Furthermore, the summary of the total visitors is vague. To improve, ensure that data points are cited precisely and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends rather than listing individual years in a disjointed manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of effective cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often mechanical or missing, such as the abrupt start to the second and third paragraphs. The use of referencing is also weak; for instance, 'the other category is about the visitors who are staying' is incomplete and lacks clarity. Improving the use of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') would help the reader follow the progression of information more smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There is a reliance on basic verbs like 'staying', 'increasing', and 'declined'. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'numbers started to get high' and 'no visible changed occur'. There are also minor errors in word formation and collocation. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'reached a peak', and ensure that nouns and verbs are used accurately in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'numbers stayes the same'), incorrect tense usage (e.g., '2017 have the highest'), and awkward sentence construction. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and numbers. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher level of accuracy. Focusing on basic sentence structure and proofreading for tense consistency would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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