Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-01
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 6.0)
The graph illustrates the number of visits of tourists from 2010 to 2017 in Caribbean island.
Overall, the visitors staying on cruise ships had shown a steady increase over the period whereas the visitors staying on the island itself in particular had never shown a drastic change over the years. However, the total visitors visiting had always been on the increase over the period
On the one hand, visitors staying on the cruise ships increased between 2010 and 2011 from 0.25M to 0.5M and decreased to its original amount in the year 2012 after that it grew steadily over the years attaining 2M by the end of 2017
On the other hand, the number of visitors who stayed on the island never showed a drastic increase or decrease over the years only increasing between the year 2011 to 2013 from 0.75M to 1.5M. However, the number of overall visitors visiting Caribbean island had always showed a steady increase over the years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for cruise ship visitors, island stayers, and the total figures. You have successfully identified the key data points and made relevant comparisons. However, the analysis could be more precise. For instance, stating that island visitors 'never showed a drastic change' is a bit vague given the growth from 0.75M to 1.5M. Additionally, the description of the total visitors is somewhat repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with greater accuracy and that the overview highlights the most significant trends more clearly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to structure your points. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. For example, the use of 'However' is frequent and could be varied with other linking words like 'In contrast' or 'Conversely'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is generally clear, though the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of referencing and substitution.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'steady increase', 'drastic change', and 'attaining'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the total visitors visiting had always been on the increase', which is slightly redundant. You also have a few minor errors in phrasing, such as 'number of visits of tourists' instead of 'number of tourist visits'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher band scores. Expanding your repertoire of reporting verbs and adverbs would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical slips. For example, 'the visitors staying on cruise ships had shown' (the past perfect is not necessary here; simple past or present perfect would be better) and 'the total visitors visiting had always showed' (should be 'had always shown'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing commas after introductory phrases. Despite these errors, they do not impede communication, and you show a reasonable attempt at using complex structures to describe trends.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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