Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-30
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 how many visitors visit an island in Caribbean and halts on cruise ships in the year between 2010 and 2017.
The total number of visitors rose from 1 million in 2010 to 1.5 million in 2012. The number continue to increase moderately the following years before it plateaued at approximately 2.7 million in 2015, and then peaked at 3.5 million in 2017.
At the beginning, in 2010, visitors staying on island was ahead with more than half a million against the ones on cruise ship with around less than half a million. It continued rising until it plateaued at 1.5 million, while the cruise ship boarder dropped again at half a million.
But, cruise ship lodger rose sharply at 1 million in 2014 and overtook the island lodger with near one and a half million in somewhere between 2015 and 2016, and finished well in front at 2 million in 2017, where the cruise ship boarder fell back to 1.5 million.
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
You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered both the total visitor numbers and the breakdown between cruise ship and island-stay tourists. However, there are some inaccuracies in your reporting of the data. For example, you state that cruise ship visitors 'overtook' island visitors between 2015 and 2016, but the graph shows this crossover occurring earlier. Additionally, the final figures for 2017 are slightly misread compared to the visual data. To improve, ensure you double-check the intersection points on the graph and provide more precise data points to support your comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction followed by body paragraphs that group the data effectively. You use some cohesive devices such as 'At the beginning' and 'while', which help the reader follow the progression of time. However, the transition between the total visitor trend and the specific categories is a bit abrupt. The use of referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the final paragraph where it is difficult to distinguish which group you are referring to. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear subjects for each sentence would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'plateaued', 'peaked', and 'rose sharply'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choices and non-standard collocations, such as 'cruise ship boarder' and 'island lodger', which are not standard terminology for tourism data. Additionally, there are minor errors in word formation, such as 'the number continue' (should be 'continued') and 'in the year between'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology related to data description and ensure your word choices are contextually appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The number continue'), missing articles ('on island', 'on cruise ship'), and awkward phrasing ('in the year between 2010 and 2017'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly regarding articles and verb tenses, and try to vary your sentence structure with more complex subordinating clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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