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 Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the total number of visitors experienced significant growth over the seven-year period. While the number of tourists choosing to stay on cruise ships saw a dramatic and continuous rise, the figures for those staying on the island plateaued in the final years.
In 2010, the total number of tourists stood at 1 million, with the vast majority (750,000) opting to stay on the island, while only 250,000 stayed on cruise ships. Over the next three years, island-based visitors increased to 1.5 million, before stabilizing at this exact figure until 2017, despite a brief dip in 2016.
Conversely, the popularity of cruise ship accommodation grew steadily from 2010 to 2012, followed by a sharp surge. Cruise ship tourists overtook island guests and reached 2 million by 2017. Driven by this surge, the overall number of visitors climbed consistently, pausing briefly at 2.7 million in 2015 and 2016, before rising sharply to maximum 3.5 million at the end of the period.
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 crossover point and the final figures. The comparisons between the two categories (island-based vs. cruise ship tourists) are well-integrated and logical. You have accurately identified the key data points, such as the initial figures in 2010 and the final totals in 2017. The information is well-supported by the data provided in the graph, and the summary is balanced, ensuring that no single part of the data is over-emphasized at the expense of others.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Conversely', 'While', and 'Driven by this surge', to link ideas and create a smooth flow. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an academic report. The transition between the general trends and the specific data points is seamless, making the information easy to follow for the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS Task 1 response. Phrases like 'significant growth', 'dramatic and continuous rise', 'plateaued', and 'sharp surge' show an ability to use precise language to describe trends. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately throughout the text. While the range is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'number' or 'increased' could further elevate the score. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While the number of tourists... saw a dramatic rise') and participial phrases ('Driven by this surge...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that hinder understanding. The use of tense is consistent and appropriate for describing historical data. To reach a higher band, ensure that even the most complex sentences maintain perfect accuracy, as there are very minor areas where phrasing could be even more fluid.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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