Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-14

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 6.5)

In this graph ,the line graph illustrates the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, divided into visitors staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island, along with the total number of visitors.

Overall, the total number of tourists increased considerably over the period, risindg from 1 million in 2010 to approximetely 3.2 million in 2017

. Visitors staying on cruise ships showed the most significant growth, while the number of tourists staying on the island fluctuated slightly.

n 2010, around 0.7 million tourists stayed on the island, compared with only 0.2 million who stayed on cruise ships. The number staying on the island remained stable in 2011 before increasing to about 1.3 million in 2013. It then gradually declined, reaching roughly 1 million in 2016, before rising slightly to 1.2 million in 2017. In contrast, cruise-ship visitors increased overall, despite some fluctuations. Their number rose from **0.2 million in 2010 to 0.4 million in 2011, then fell to 0.1 million in 2012. After that, it grew steadily, reaching 1 million in 2015 and 1.7 million in 2017. Consequently, the total number of tourists climbed steadily, apart from a brief perioded of stability between 2015 and 2016.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and reporting the main features of the graph, including comparisons between the categories. The opening overview correctly identifies the overall upward trend in total tourist numbers and distinguishes between the two sub-categories (cruise-ship visitors and those staying on the island). Key data points, such as the initial and final figures, are accurately cited and compared. For example, the writer notes that 'around 0.7 million tourists stayed on the island, compared with only 0.2 million who stayed on cruise ships' in 2010. The response is fully developed, and all relevant trends are tracked across the timeline without any significant omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The response is appropriately structured into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a detailed body paragraph. Cohesive devices are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader, such as 'In contrast', 'After that', and 'Consequently'. However, there are minor typographical issues in the formatting and paragraph breaks, such as an orphaned fragment at the end of the second paragraph ('. Visitors staying on cruise ships...') and a stray letter at the beginning of the body paragraph ('n 2010'). Despite these mechanical glitches, the overall sequencing of information is logical and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for a Task 1 response, incorporating terms such as 'fluctuated slightly', 'stable', 'gradually declined', and 'grew steadily'. There are a few noticeable spelling and typographical errors, such as 'risindg', 'approximetely', and 'perioded', which detract from the lexical score. While the writer attempts less common lexical items, these minor slips in word formation prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Nevertheless, communication remains clear and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the precise trends shown in the graph.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilising subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases effectively, such as 'divided into visitors staying on cruise ships and those staying on the island, along with the total number of visitors.' The majority of the sentences are grammatically accurate. While there are some minor mechanical errors and typos stemming from rapid typing or editing—such as 'In graph ,the line' and the fragmented sentences—these errors rarely impede communication and do not obscure the meaning of the data being reported.

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