Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-07
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 8.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, divided into those staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island.
Overall, the total number of visitors increased considerably over the period. While the number of tourists staying on the island remained relatively stable after 2013, the number of cruise-ship visitors rose substantially, particularly towards the end of the period.
In 2010, approximately 1 million tourists visited the island, with around 0.75 million staying on the island and 0.25 million staying on cruise ships. The total number then increased steadily, reaching about 2.5 million in 2014. During this period, the number of visitors staying on the island doubled to 1.5 million, while cruise-ship visitors reached approximately 1 million.
From 2015 to 2016, the total number of tourists remained stable at around 2.75 million. However, there was a significant increase in 2017, when the figure reached approximately 3.5 million. This was mainly due to the rise in cruise-ship visitors, which reached nearly 2 million, while the number staying on the island remained at around 1.5 million.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected key features, such as the initial figures in 2010 and the final peak in 2017. The comparison between the two categories—cruise-ship visitors and island-staying tourists—is well-integrated throughout the report. The data is accurately reported, and the distinction between the two groups is maintained clearly. The response is well-structured, covering the main trends and supporting them with specific data points from the graph, which fully meets the requirements for a Band 8 level of task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group the data chronologically and thematically. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'During this period', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the relationship between the categories and the time periods is always easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a report of this nature. Phrases like 'remained relatively stable', 'rose substantially', and 'significant increase' show a good command of descriptive language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately to convey the trends shown in the graph. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band; however, the current usage is natural and error-free, which is highly commendable for this task type.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, such as 'While the number of tourists staying on the island remained relatively stable after 2013, the number of cruise-ship visitors rose substantially'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no noticeable errors in grammar or syntax. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report, justifying a high score in this criterion.
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