Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-05
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 chart elaborates the number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island and staying on cruise ships and island and also define total numbers between 2010 to 2017.
Overall, graph shows the continued progress go up from 1 million to almost 3.5 millions. In this graph picture the visitors, who staying on cruise ships start form 0.3 millions in 2010 and increased in 2011 till 0.5 millions. And then from 2011 to 2012 it drop down at the position of 2010. From 2012 onward, the visitors numbers rise rapidly and touch the level of 2 millions till 2017. It was a good performance of tourists, who did like to stay on cruise ships. On the other hand, If we talk about the visitors, who staying in island, start from 0.7 millions in 2010 and stay same without any change until 2011. Then it starts the growth from 0.7 millions to 1.5 millions at the end of 2013, and then again remained stuck on 1.5 million position till 2015. Then it fall down in 2016 and went back at same position of 2015 in last of 2017. But if talk about the overall ratio, which is gradually increased from day first to last.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall upward trend and the specific data points for cruise and island visitors. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you mention the 'continued progress', the summary could be more precise by highlighting the contrasting growth patterns between the two categories. Some data points are described in a repetitive, list-like manner, which limits the depth of the comparison. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview synthesizes the information rather than just listing individual year-on-year changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into an introduction and body paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the flow between sentences is often mechanical. Phrases like 'And then from 2011 to 2012' and 'Then it starts the growth' create a repetitive rhythm. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes awkward, such as 'But if talk about the overall ratio'. Paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the two categories of visitors more clearly. Improving the variety of transition words would help the ideas progress more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'increased', 'drop down', 'rise', and 'fall'. There are also some awkward collocations and phrasing, such as 'remained stuck on 1.5 million position' and 'in last of 2017'. To improve, you should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'plateaued', or 'experienced a significant surge'. The current range is sufficient to convey the message, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include missing articles ('in graph picture'), incorrect verb tenses ('who staying' instead of 'who stayed'), and awkward prepositional usage ('at the position of 2010'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from being considered fluent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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