Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-29
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 graph illustrates the tourists visiting a Carribean island from 2010 to 2017 . It shows in two mediums the visitors who stayed on cruise ships are increased throughout the years on the other hand who stayed on island. The map shows about the amount of visitors who stayed on island were constant in 2010 to 2011 and then jumped high from 2011 to 2017 from 0 to 2 millions . The numbers of people who stayed on cruise ships went high from 2010 to 2011 then dropped in 2012 . People choose to stay at cruise ships throughout the year from 2012 to 2017 from 0.75 millions to 1.5 millions
Overall the amount of both mediums are gradually increased from 1 million visitors to 3.5 millions that visited a Carribean island from 2010 to 2017. Staying on cruise went high by visitors in last 2 years instead of staying on island
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| 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, such as the overall upward trend and the distinction between cruise ship and island visitors. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains inaccuracies. For instance, stating that island visitors were 'constant in 2010 to 2011' and then 'jumped high... from 0 to 2 millions' is not entirely supported by the data provided in the graph. Furthermore, the summary of the cruise ship data is confusingly phrased. To improve, ensure that data points are accurately transcribed and that comparisons between the two categories are more clearly articulated to provide a more comprehensive overview of the trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into an introduction, body, and conclusion, which provides a basic structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes confusing. Phrases like 'in two mediums' and 'on the other hand who stayed on island' lack clarity and do not effectively link ideas. The transition between sentences is often abrupt, making the progression of information feel disjointed. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to create a smoother flow between sentences and paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'high', 'jumped', and 'amount'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'in two mediums' and 'staying on cruise went high by visitors'. These errors occasionally make the meaning difficult to follow. To improve, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a significant increase'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs will also help you convey the trends more accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies primarily on simple sentence structures. While there are attempts at complex sentences, they are often grammatically incorrect or awkward, such as 'the visitors who stayed on cruise ships are increased throughout the years on the other hand who stayed on island.' There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement, tense usage, and prepositional phrases. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces before periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing past data. Incorporating a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, would also enhance your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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