Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-12

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 6.0)

The line chart illustrates the number of visitors in a Caribbean island and their preference of staying over the span of [redacted phone].

Overall, total number of tourists increased throughout the period. Additionally, island was the greater choice than cruise ships for resting in initial years. But the preference reversed after 2015, thus, cruise ship became the most prioritized one.

In 2010, 1million of tourists visited the island which escalated gradually to more than 2.5 millions in 2015. It stayed same in the following year but exponentially rose to 3.5 millions in 2017.

In terms of tourists on cruise ship, the figure was quite low at about 0.25 million in 2010. However, it climbed to 2 millions in 2017 after it hovered between 0.25-0.5 million in [redacted phone].

Regarding visitors preferring island, the recorded tourist was around 0.75 million in 2010 which remained similar in the next year. Figure increased to 1.5 million in 2013 and again platued till 2015. It ended at 1.5 millions in 2016 after a slight dip at roughly 1.25 millions in 2017.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies and reports the main features of the line chart, providing an adequate overview of the total number of tourists and their preferences between staying on the island versus cruise ships. Key features and comparisons are made, noting that island stays were initially more popular before cruise ships took the lead after 2015. Data points are provided, such as the rise in total visitors to 3.5 million in 2017. However, there are some minor data inconsistencies and awkward breakdowns regarding the categories (for instance, the final paragraph mentions visitors preferring the island dropping to 1.25 million, which conflicts slightly with the visual data for a standard three-category chart typically seen in this prompt). Nevertheless, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, placing this comfortably in the Band 6.5 to 7 range. Overall, it covers the requirements well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and subsequent body paragraphs detailing the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate overall trends from specific figures. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'Additionally', 'In terms of', and 'Regarding visitors', which help guide the reader through the data. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive, and referencing could be smoother, particularly in how categories are contrasted across paragraphs. Logical progression is maintained throughout, ensuring the overall arrangement remains coherent and easy to follow, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.5 or 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'escalated', 'exponentially', and 'prioritized'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and phrasing. For example, writing 'number of visitors in a Caribbean island' instead of 'to', 'total number of tourists' missing an article ('the total number'), and 'island was the greater choice than cruise ships' which sounds unnatural. Words like 'platued' (plateaued) also contain minor spelling errors. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the lexical score from reaching higher bands. The vocabulary used is minimally sufficient to convey the intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures such as concessive clauses ('after it hovered between...') and relative clauses. There are several grammatical errors present, particularly concerning missing articles ('the island was the greater choice', 'total number of tourists') and preposition choice ('visitors in a Caribbean island'). Furthermore, expressions like 'It stayed same' omit necessary prepositions ('the same'). Despite these errors and occasional awkward phrasing, the majority of simple sentences are clear, and the errors only rarely impede communication. This balance of a mixed structural range with persistent minor inaccuracies fits the Band 6 profile.

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