Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

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 increased 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 change in one year and again rose up to 3.5 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all three data series presented in the graph, providing starting points, general trends, and ending figures for visitors staying on the island, those on cruise ships, and the total. An overview is attempted in the opening paragraph, though it lacks a clear summary of the most striking overall trends. Some minor data approximations and phrasing choices occur, such as stating 'there is no change in this year' for the 2010-2011 period when referring to island stay visitors, whereas the data shows it remained flat at 0.75 million. However, the main features and comparisons are successfully reported. This meets the criteria for Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into an introduction and a single large body paragraph. This paragraph structure is inadequate for a clear logical organization and progression, as all data categories and timeframes are crammed into one dense block of text. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes mechanical or awkwardly placed, such as 'While 2010, Visitors stayed on cruise ships...' and 'Lastly, the total figure 1 million...'. Referencing and logical sequencing within the body paragraph become muddled, making the progression difficult to follow at times. This reflects the characteristics of Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic trends using terms like 'gradually increased', 'dropped', and 'stable'. However, there are frequent lexical inaccuracies, awkward word choices, and missing articles, such as 'illustrates number of different tourists visiting in Caribbean island' (instead of 'visiting the Caribbean island') and 'total figure 1 million'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success. Spelling is generally accurate, but the restricted range and persistent word choice errors place this at a Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple clauses and faulty attempts at complex sentences, such as 'After 2015, it will again drop to 1.3 million in 2016, then again increased to 1.5 million in 2017' (tense shifting errors). Punctuation is also problematic, with run-on sentences and comma splices connecting distinct clauses inappropriately (e.g., '...in this year. but 2011 to 2013...'). Frequent errors in verb tenses and prepositions cause some difficulty for the reader, aligning closely with the Band 5.0 descriptors.

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