Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-11
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 7.5)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists who visited a particular Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the total number of visitors increased significantly over the period, although it remained relatively stable for a short time. The number of tourists staying on the island also increased overall, despite some fluctuations, while the figure for those staying on cruise ships rose considerably, apart from a decline in 2012.
The number of visitors staying on cruise ships was around 0.25 million in 2010, before increasing to 0.5 million in 2011. However, the figure fell to about 0.25 million in 2012 before rising again to 0.5 million in 2013. After that, the number continued to surge, reaching 1 million in 2014, 1.25 million in 2015, and 1.5 million in 2016. Finally, it climbed to 2 million in 2017.
The number of visitors staying on the island was around 0.75 million in 2010 and remained unchanged in 2011, before rising to approximately 1.25 million in 2012. It then increased to 1.5 million in 2013 and remained stable until 2015, before falling slightly to 1.25 million in 2016 and recovering to 1.5 million in 2017. Meanwhile, the total number of visitors stood at 1 million in 2010 and rose steadily to 2 million in 2013. It then remained stable at 2.75 million in 2015 and 2016, before reaching a peak of 3.5 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and successfully selected and reported the main features, such as the overall growth and the specific peaks for both cruise ship and island-stay visitors. The comparisons between the two categories and the total are well-integrated. The data is accurately represented, and you have successfully highlighted the key periods of change, such as the surge in cruise ship tourism after 2013. The response is well-structured to meet the requirements of an academic report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'however', 'after that', 'finally', and 'meanwhile', which help the reader follow the narrative of the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next without any confusion or repetition.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends in a graph. Phrases like 'increased significantly', 'remained relatively stable', 'continued to surge', and 'recovering to' show a good command of descriptive language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately throughout the text. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to data analysis could elevate the score further, but the current usage is highly functional and error-free.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'The number of visitors staying on the island was around 0.75 million in 2010 and remained unchanged in 2011, before rising to...'). Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report.
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