Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-17
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 8.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of tourists who visited a Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017, divided into those staying on the island and those staying on cruise ships. Figures are given in millions.
Overall, the total number of visitors increased considerably throughout the period, rising from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017. Tourists staying on the island initially outnumbered those staying on cruise ships; however, cruise-ship visitors grew rapidly and became the larger group by the end of the period.
In terms of visitors staying on the island, the figure stood at approximately 0.75 million in both 2010 and 2011. It then rose to about 1.25 million in 2012 and reached 1.5 million in 2013. This number remained stable at around 1.5 million until 2015, before falling slightly to 1.25 million in 2016. It subsequently recovered to 1.5 million in 2017.
By contrast, the number of tourists staying on cruise ships showed a much stronger upward trend despite some initial fluctuation. It increased from 0.25 million in 2010 to 0.5 million in 2011, before dropping back to 0.25 million in 2012. From then onwards, the figure rose steadily, reaching 1 million in 2014, 1.5 million in 2016 and 2 million in 2017. Consequently, the total number of tourists climbed from 1 million to 3.5 million over the eight-year period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The student fully addresses all parts of the task by accurately reporting the main features of the chart, providing clear comparisons, and giving precise figures where relevant. The response includes a well-written introduction and a clear overall trend in the second paragraph. Key features, such as the growth of cruise-ship tourism surpassing island-stay tourism by 2017 and the overall rise from 1 million to 3.5 million visitors, are properly highlighted and supported by accurate data from the visual. There are no notable omissions or misreadings of the data, demonstrating a high level of task fulfillment. Band score: 8.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving naturally from the introduction to the global overview, and then into detailed category-specific breakdowns in paragraphs three and four. Cohesive devices such as 'however', 'In terms of', and 'By contrast' are used flexibly and appropriately to connect ideas. Furthermore, paragraphing is managed skilfully, with each paragraph serving a distinct and clear function in presenting the data. Overall, the flow is smooth and natural. Band score: 8.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'considerably throughout the period', 'outnumbered', and 'stronger upward trend' show good control of less common lexical items. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is flawless. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare enough to push into the highest band (which requires exceptional nuance and flexibility), it is precise and effectively communicates the visual data without noticeable repetition. Band score: 7.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writer uses a wide variety of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'Tourists staying on the island initially outnumbered those staying on cruise ships; however, cruise-ship visitors grew rapidly...' demonstrate excellent syntactic variety and control. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with only very occasional minor slips. Punctuation and tense consistency (largely past simple for past data trends) are handled very well throughout the response, enabling smooth and effortless reading. Band score: 8.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.