Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-19

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 5.0)

This line graph illustrates number of different tourists visiting in Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017. There are three different types of tourists visit the island.

Initially, 0.7 million visitors staying on island in [redacted phone] there is no change in this year. but 2011 to 2013 it gradually increased and reached 1.5 million and stable in two years. After 2015, it will again drop to 1.3 million in 2016, then again grew to 1.5 million in 2017. While 2010, Visitors stayed on cruise ships 0.25 million and rose up to 0.5 million in 2011. After that, it dropped to 0.25 million in 2012. In 2013, visitors gradually rose every year, and up to 2 million in 2017. Lastly, the total figure 1 million in 2010 and grew up to each year, and up to 2.8 million in 2015. After 2015, there is no transform in one year and again rose up to 3.5 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to report the main trends for all three categories shown in the line graph, including visitors staying on the island, those on cruise ships, and the total numbers. However, the response lacks a clear overview statement, which is a key requirement for Academic Task 1. Furthermore, there are several inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, the writer states that visitors staying on the island started at '0.7 million', whereas the graph shows 0.75 million, and claims that visitor numbers reached 2.8 million in 2015 when the total was actually around 2.75 million. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of an overarching summary and imprecise data referencing place this response at Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is inadequately paragraphed, featuring only a brief introduction followed by one massive, dense block of text that attempts to cover all remaining data points. This creates significant strain on the reader. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and repetitive manner (e.g., 'After that', 'In 2013', 'Lastly'), and the logical progression of ideas is frequently disrupted by abrupt transitions between different demographic groups. For example, jumping from island stayees to cruise ship passengers within the same paragraph causes confusion. Overall organisation is weak, warranting a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently relying on simple verbs of change such as 'increased', 'grew', and 'dropped'. There are also noticeable lexical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'number of different tourists visiting in Caribbean island' (omitting articles and prepositions) and 'no transform' instead of 'no change' or 'plateaued'. While the words are sufficient to convey a basic meaning, the limited range and frequent inaccuracies constrain the score to Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammatical range is quite limited. The writer relies heavily on simple sentence structures and clauses strung together with coordinating conjunctions or punctuation errors (e.g., run-on sentences like 'While 2010, Visitors stayed on cruise ships 0.25 million and rose up to 0.5 million in 2011. After that, it dropped...'). Attempts at complex structures often result in grammatical errors, such as tense confusion ('it will again drop') and missing verbs or subjects. Errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, aligning with Band 5.0 descriptors.

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.