Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-28
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)
The give line graph provides information about the number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017 over a period of 7 years, which measured visitors staying on cruise ships and staying on island and the total number of visitors.
Overall, it can be seen that the number of tourists visitor showed an increasing trend during the time. In 2010, it started about 1 millions and increased significantly to 3.5 millions of visitors by 2017.
In the beginning, in 2010, visitors staying on cruise ships trend fluctuated between 0.25 to 0.5 millions from the year of 2010 to 2012. However, it increased dramatically 2 millions in 2017. On the other hand, the number of visitors staying on the island started at 0.75 million in 2010 and gradually increased to 1.5 million in 2013. It then remained stable at approximately 1.5 million from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, the figure slightly dropped to 1.2 million, before recovering to 1.5 million in 2017.
Comparatively, visitors staying on cruise ships was much more variable compared to those staying on the island, but both contributed the overall increase in the total number of tourists to the island.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the total number of visitors and the two sub-categories. You successfully identified the overall upward trend and provided specific data points for the beginning and end of the period. However, the overview could be more precise; while you mention an increasing trend, you could explicitly state that cruise ship visitors overtook island stayers as the primary driver of growth by the end of the period. The data is generally accurate, though the initial figure for 2010 (1 million) is slightly imprecise compared to the graph's visual representation. Overall, the task is addressed well with clear reporting of main features and relevant comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is a clear progression of ideas from the general trend to specific category details. You use cohesive devices such as 'In the beginning', 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'Comparatively' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different data sets. While some transitions are slightly mechanical, the overall flow is smooth and the reader can easily follow the comparison between the two types of visitors. The referencing is clear throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'dramatically', 'gradually', and 'recovering'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'tourists visitor' (should be 'tourist numbers' or 'visitors') and '1 millions' (should be '1 million'). The use of 'variable' to describe the cruise ship trend is a good attempt at more sophisticated language. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations and ensure consistent pluralization. The vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the information clearly without any significant impediment to the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show control over time-related clauses and comparative structures. However, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'The give line graph' (should be 'The given line graph'), 'measured visitors staying' (should be 'measured the number of visitors staying'), and 'contributed the overall increase' (should be 'contributed to the overall increase'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions after verbs like 'contribute'.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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