Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-13
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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the figures of travelers in millions, who visited on Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, it can clearly seen that the maximum number of total tourists on Caribbean island. In contrast, tourists who spent time on cruise ships saw increase after a minor fall, whereas the number visitors who stayed on island fluctuated throughout the period.
Total number of tourist accounted for 1 million in 2010, after four years it continuously went up to 3.5 million by 2017 on Caribbean island. In 2010 about 250,000 tourist stayed on cruise ships, whereas their numbers fluctuated till 2013, afterwards it considerably rose to 2 million between 2014 and 2017.
However, half million tourists presented on Caribbean island and remained constant from 2010 to 2011, after one year it slightly rose over one million then from 2013 to 2017 it was stable at 1.5 million with minor decrease in 2016.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features and making relevant comparisons between the categories of tourists. The overview correctly highlights the upward trend in total visitors and cruise ship passengers alongside the fluctuations in island-based visitors. Specific data points are cited to support the description, such as the total starting at 1 million in 2010 and reaching 3.5 million by 2017. However, the explanation is slightly disjointed in places, and some data descriptions lack complete clarity regarding which specific category is being discussed. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing specific trends. There is a logical progression overall, moving from general statements to specific figures. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or awkwardly used, as seen in the transition 'However, half million tourists presented on Caribbean island...'. Additionally, referencing and pronoun usage occasionally lack precision, which affects the flow of ideas. Paragraphing is present and generally appropriate, but the mechanical nature of the links places the response firmly in the Band 6 category.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'fluctuated', 'considerably rose', and 'stable'. However, there are notable lexical and collocational errors throughout the response. For instance, the phrase 'figures of travelers in millions, who visited on Caribbean island' contains awkward prepositions, and 'tourists presented on Caribbean island' is unnatural. Spelling is generally acceptable, but word choices occasionally impede smooth reading. This level of vocabulary use and control aligns with a Band 5.5 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some variety in structure. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several missing articles and prepositions, such as 'visited on Caribbean island' instead of 'visited the Caribbean island' and 'half million' instead of 'half a million'. Furthermore, punctuation and clause structures are occasionally faulty, as seen in the run-on structure in the overview: 'it can clearly seen that the maximum number of total tourists on Caribbean island.' Despite these errors, the meaning is generally communicated, supporting a Band 5.5 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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