Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-15
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 polyline graph provides the information regarding the number of tourists who visited a particular Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017, and the whole data is measured in millions.
As observed, the numbers of travellers staying on cruise ships and staying on island both showed upward trends.
As per the data, In 2010, the count of travellers staying on cruise ships was 0.25 million and after that it showed a growth of 1.75 millions and reached 2 millions in 2017. Likewise, the counts of travellers staying on island increased gradually with minor fluctuations from 0.75 million in 2010 to 1.5 millions in 2017. This was a rise of 0.75 million, quite a significant growth.
It is also noticeable that the total count of bagpackers also inclined swiftly from 1 million to 3.5 millions over the given period.
Overall, the data suggest that the Caribbean island became more popular over the given period
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the chart and making relevant comparisons between the three data categories. Key trends, such as the overall growth and the specific trajectories of visitors staying on cruise ships versus those staying on the island, are accurately identified. The numbers provided (e.g., rising from 0.25 million to 2 million for cruise ships) align well with the visual data. An overview is present at the end of the text, capturing the main trend of increasing popularity. However, referring to the total count as 'bagpackers' is a factual error, as the chart shows total visitors, not backpackers specifically. Despite this minor lapse, the response fully addresses the requirements of Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized with a clear overall progression, moving from an introductory statement and an initial trend summary to specific data points in the body paragraphs, concluding with an overall summary. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'As observed', 'As per the data', and 'It is also noticeable that'. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped; the student uses single-sentence paragraphs excessively, which disrupts the logical flow and visual structure expected in an academic report. Referencing is generally clear, but the disjointed paragraph structure prevents the response from achieving a higher band in this category.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms like 'upward trends', 'gradual', 'fluctuations', and 'significant growth'. There are some successful attempts to use less common vocabulary, though precision is occasionally affected, such as using 'polyline graph' (a less standard collocation than 'line graph') and the incorrect term 'bagpackers' (backpackers) when referring to total tourists. Spelling is generally accurate, though pluralization errors occur, such as '1.75 millions'. The lexical range is sufficient to convey the main information clearly, though it lacks the flexibility and precision of higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory prepositional phrases followed by independent clauses ('In 2010, the count of travellers... was 0.25 million and after that it showed...'). There are some grammatical errors, such as 'the whole data is measured' (data is plural or treated as a mass noun, but usually plural in this context) and minor punctuation omissions, like the missing period at the very end of the final sentence. Nevertheless, these errors do not impede communication, and the majority of simple sentences are accurate. A wider variety of complex structures with consistent error-free control would be needed for a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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