Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-27

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 6.5)

Overall, the total number of tourists showed a steady upward trend throughout the period. In 2010, it started at about 1 million and increased significantly to around 3.5 million by 2017. Comparatively, the growth rate of cruise-ship visitors was much more variable compared to those staying on the island, but both contributed to the overall increase in the total number of tourists to the island.

The number of visitors staying on the island had a more stable pattern. It began at around 0.75 million in 2010, slowly increased from 2011 to 1.5 million in 2013, and remained at approximately 1.5 million from 2013 to 2015. It slightly dropped to around 1.2 million in 2016 before rebounded to 1.5 million in 2017.

The number of tourists staying on cruise ships had a more erratic growth. Starting at a low of about 0.25 million in 2010, it first rose to around 0.5 million in 2011, dropped back to the 2010 level in 2012, then grew steadily, reaching about 2 million in 2017.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the overall upward trend and the distinct patterns for cruise-ship versus island-stay visitors. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with relevant data from the graph. To reach a higher band, ensure that you make more explicit comparisons between the two categories throughout the body paragraphs, rather than just describing them in isolation. For example, noting that cruise-ship visitors eventually overtook island-stay visitors by 2017 would have strengthened the analytical aspect of your response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two categories of tourists. You use cohesive devices such as 'In 2010', 'Comparatively', and 'Starting at' to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid repetitive sentence structures, but overall, the flow is logical and the information is well-managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'steady upward trend', 'variable', 'stable pattern', and 'erratic growth'. These terms are appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items, such as 'fluctuated significantly' or 'experienced a marked increase', to show greater flexibility and precision in your descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over tense usage (past tense for the period 2010–2017) is consistent. There is a minor error in the second paragraph: 'before rebounded' should be 'before rebounding'. Additionally, 'rebounded' is used correctly in context, but the structure requires the gerund form. Despite these minor slips, your grammar is generally accurate and does not hinder the clarity of your report.

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