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 line graph illustrates with the information about the number of tourists visits Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017. In adition, the graph also shows the information about the total number of tourists and it is divided into two categories in which it shows the number of tourists staying on island or cruise ships.
Overall, X-axises shows the years and Y-axises shows the number of people in millions. Futhermore, overall the total numberof tourist from 2010 to 2017 rose significantly.
In 2010, around 1 milllion tourists visits the island and around 0.7 million tourist stayed on island. However, only around 0.3 million people who stayed on crusie ships. Furthermore, the number of tourists increased significantly to 2.5 million tourist in 2014 and there were only around 1.5 million of tourist who stayed on island and the remaining 1 million tourist choose the cruise ships.
Lastly, till 2017 the numbers again skyrocketed to 3.5 million. However, in 2017 the number of tourist who choose on the cruise ships have surpassed the number of tourist who like to stay on island.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task well by identifying the main trends and categories shown in the graph. The student successfully reports the overall upward trajectory of the total number of visitors and highlights the key breakdown between cruise ship passengers and those staying on the island. Data points are cited with reasonable accuracy, such as noting the total reaching 3.5 million in 2017 and the crossover point where cruise ship visitors surpassed island-staying tourists. However, the overview could be more clearly integrated, and the reporting of figures contains minor inaccuracies (e.g., stating 'around 0.7 million tourist stayed on island' in 2010 when it was actually 0.75, and referring to '0.7 million' instead of 1 million for the total). Nonetheless, the main features are sufficiently selected and reported.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into four paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, moving to an overall statement, and detailing specific data points in the body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Overall,' 'In 2010,' 'However,' and 'Lastly.' However, the progression between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and referencing is occasionally clunky, as seen in the phrase 'the number of tourist who choose on the cruise ships have surpassed'. Paragraphing is present and helps structure the response, but overall cohesion lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with attempts at less common items such as 'skyrocketed,' 'surpassed,' and 'significant.' However, there are numerous lexical and spelling errors throughout the text, including 'adition' instead of 'addition,' 'X-axises' and 'Y-axises' instead of axes, and awkward word combinations like 'tourist who choose on the cruise ships.' These inaccuracies occasionally reveal a lack of precision, though they do not impede overall communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using conjunctions like 'in which' and 'while.' However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. Examples include 'number of tourists visits' instead of visit, 'there were only around 1.5 million of tourist' instead of tourists, and 'number of tourist who choose... have surpassed' where plural and singular forms clash. Punctuation and article use also need attention. These persistent errors place the grammar firmly in the Band 5 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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