Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-31
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 7.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists that visited a Caribbean island, including where they stayed during their visit for a period of 8 years spanning from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the total number of tourists increased steadily throughout the period although it experienced a dip in 2016. However, the number of visitors who stayed on cruise ships and those who stayed on the island showed a mild fluctuation throughout the period of time.
From the information provided, the total tourism to the Carribean island increased throughout the period, beginning from about 1 million in 2010 and reaching its peak of about 3.5 million in 2017, although it saw a dip in 2016.
Furthermore, the visitors staying on the island during their visit started at around 0.7 million in 2010 and gradually increased to approximately 1.5 million in 2017. However, between 2013 to 2015 the amount of visitors remained stable and there was also a decline in 2016. Furthermore, the number of tourists staying on cruise ships during their stay began at less than 0.4 million in 2010, increased to 0.5 million the following year, then again, experienced a decline to less than 0.5 million, this was followed by steady growth throughout the period reaching around 2 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response covers all key features of the graph, including the overall trend and the specific data for both categories. You successfully identified the peak in 2017 and the dip in 2016. However, the description of the cruise ship data is slightly confusing; you mention it reached 'around 2 million' in 2017, but the graph shows the total is 3.5 million with island visitors at 1.5 million, meaning the cruise figure is 2 million. While accurate, the explanation of the fluctuations could be more precise. You have clearly highlighted the main trends and made relevant comparisons between the two categories, which satisfies the requirements for a Band 7.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'beginning from' to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is generally smooth. However, there is some repetitive use of 'Furthermore' and 'during their visit/stay', which makes the flow feel slightly mechanical at times. Improving the variety of linking phrases would help elevate the coherence. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and the information is presented in a logical sequence.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly, using terms like 'fluctuation', 'steadily', and 'peak'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive, such as 'during their visit' and 'during their stay'. There is also a minor spelling error ('Carribean' should be 'Caribbean'). The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for precision, but it lacks the sophisticated collocation or idiomatic control required for a higher band score. It is functional and accurate enough to communicate the trends effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The line graph illustrates...' and '...although it saw a dip in 2016'. While most sentences are clear, there are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'the total tourism to the Carribean island' (should be 'total number of tourists') and 'between 2013 to 2015' (should be 'between 2013 and 2015'). Punctuation is generally handled well, and the errors present do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure consistent preposition usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.