Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-20
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 linear representation illustrates the information related to the number of visitors visited Caraibbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, Total number of tourists kept on increasing during interval of 7 years. However, preferance regarding their accomodation fluctuates during given time.
In 2010, 1 million people travelled this island and figure rose gradually by 0.5 million till 2012. Furthermore, It had a steady climb of approximately 1.5 million in 2015 and levelled off till 2017. However, trend recorded a significant rise in 2017 and number reached 3.5 million.
In 2010 and 2011 nearly 1.25 million explorers stayed on island and number increased slowly in 2013 by 0.7 million. However, figure do not show any noticable change in next 3 years. Afterwards, trend had a dip of approximately 0.2 million in 2016 and reached 1.5 million in next years. In 2010, ln 2010, only 0.2% people show preference to stay on island and figure reached 0.5 million in 2011. However, number observed a drop in 2012 but it recovered in 2013. Furthermore, number climbed steadily in following years and reached 2 million till 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to cover the main features of the line graph illustrating tourist arrivals between 2010 and 2017. An overview is present, noting the general upward trend and fluctuating accommodation preferences. However, there are significant inaccuracies in reporting the data. For instance, the student states that the total number reached 'approximately 1.5 million in 2015', whereas the visual data shows the total was closer to 2.75 million. Similarly, confusing percentages with millions ('only 0.2% people show preference') and misinterpreting the breakdown between island stays and cruise ships impairs the accuracy of the task response. While all parts of the prompt are addressed, the data misreadings limit the score to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is divided into four paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for overall and specific trends. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing transitions and erratic paragraph structuring. For example, the final paragraph mixes up details about cruise ship visitors and island stayers, and repetitive usage of transition words like 'however' weakens cohesion. Referencing is also unclear in places, such as vague pronoun use ('It had a steady climb'). Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is sometimes faulty and mechanical, placing this response firmly in the Band 5.5 range.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'linear representation', 'preferance' (spelling error), 'explorers', and 'levelled off'. However, there are several noticeable lexical errors and inaccurate word choices throughout the text. Spelling errors such as 'Caraibbean', 'preferance', and 'noticable' detract from the quality. Furthermore, the misuse of units (confusing millions with percentages, e.g., 'only 0.2% people') and awkward phrasing like 'visitors visited' demonstrate a limited control of lexical features. The range is adequate for the task, but frequent inaccuracies place it at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('Total number of tourists', 'travelled this island'), incorrect tense or verb forms ('visitors visited', 'figure do not show'), and punctuation issues. Some complex structures are faulty or awkward, which occasionally causes difficulty for the reader, such as 'number recorded a significant rise in 2017 and number reached'. While some sentences are accurate, the density of basic and complex errors limits the score to Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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