Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-08
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 volume of visitors traveling to a specific Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, categorized by accommodation type: those staying on cruise ships and those residing on the island.
Overall, the total number of tourists experienced significant growth over the seven-year period. While visitors staying on the island initially formed the majority, those staying on cruise ships witnessed a far more dramatic rise, ultimately overtaking island-based tourists by the end of the period.
In 2010, total tourist numbers stood at 1 million, with approximately 0.75 million staying on the island and roughly 0.25 million on cruise ships. The number of cruise ship visitors fluctuated initially—rising to 0.5 million in 2011 before dipping back to roughly 0.25 million in 2012—before embarking on a steady upward trajectory to hit 1 million in 2014. By contrast, visitors staying on the island grew steadily to reach 1.5 million by 2013.
Between 2013 and 2015, the count of island-staying tourists plateaued at 1.5 million, followed by a slight dip to around 1.25 million in 2016 before recovering to 1.5 million in 2017. Conversely, cruise ship arrivals surged past island stays around late 2015, reaching 1.5 million in 2016 and peaking at 2.0 million in 2017. Driven by this surge, total visits leveled briefly at roughly 2.7 million between 2015 and 2016 before climbing steeply to reach a peak of 3.5 million by 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main trends and provided a comprehensive overview of the data. The comparison between the two categories—cruise ship visitors and island-based tourists—is well-handled, particularly the observation of the crossover point. You have successfully highlighted the key features, such as the initial fluctuation in cruise numbers and the steady growth of island stays, followed by the later surge in cruise arrivals. The data is accurately reported, and the summary is logically structured, meeting all the requirements for a high-band response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall trend, and two detailed body paragraphs covering the chronological data. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'By contrast,' 'Conversely,' and 'Driven by this surge,' which help the reader follow the narrative of the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the analysis, ensuring the flow of information is smooth and easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'steady upward trajectory,' 'plateaued,' and 'embarking on' are used accurately and naturally. The terminology is precise, and you avoid repetition by using varied synonyms for the data points (e.g., 'volume of visitors,' 'count of island-staying tourists,' 'arrivals'). There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is highly appropriate for an academic report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammatical control is very strong. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, including participial phrases ('Driven by this surge') and subordinate clauses, with high accuracy. Punctuation is handled correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few complex structures used are well-integrated, contributing to a fluent and professional tone throughout the report.
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