Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-22
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 6.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of visitors going to a specific Caribbean island in seven year period from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the number of tourists visiting the island increased over time. Initially, staying on the island was popular among tourists. The number of visitors staying on cruise ships fluctuated and then increased steadily making it the most popular choice by the end of 2016 and 2017.
In 2010, below 0.5 million visitors were staying on cruise ships which then rose to 0.5 million in 2011. This trend then fell slightly to above 0 million by 2012. From then it increased considerably to 2 million tourists by 2017. In contast with people staying on island was just below 1 million in 2010 and 2011, which increased to 1.5 million by 2013 and reamin steady till 2015. The trend howered to above 1 million in 2016 and returned to 1.5 million in 2017.
The total number of visitors also increased from 1 million to 3.5 million in seven year period. The most notable increase was observed between 2016 and 2017 from just above 2.5 million to 3.5 million tourists.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and making relevant comparisons between the two categories of visitors and the total. An overview is provided, noting the general upward trend. Key data points are correctly identified, such as the growth of cruise ship visitors reaching 2 million by 2017 and the total increasing from 1 million to 3.5 million. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reading specific data points, such as stating that in 2010 visitor numbers were 'below 0.5 million' for cruise ships when it was approximately 0.25 million, and minor issues with island visitor figures in 2012. Nonetheless, the overall response covers the graph well and fulfills the requirements of Task Achievement at a Band 6.5 level, rounding to 6.0 based on descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay has a clear overall arrangement with information logically grouped into an introduction, an overview, body paragraphs detailing the categories, and a summary of the total. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, some cohesive devices are mechanical or clumsy, such as 'In contast with people staying on island' which contains a grammatical and linking error. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences can sometimes feel abrupt due to minor cohesive limitations. Progression is maintained throughout the response, placing it solidly in the Band 6 range.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using appropriate terms such as 'illustrates', 'fluctuated', 'increased steadily', and 'considerably'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some word choices and collocations are awkward or inaccurate, for example, 'In contast with people staying on island' and 'The trend howered' (hovered/hovered). Spelling is generally acceptable, though minor slips like 'contast' occur. The vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the main points clearly, aligning with Band 6 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The line graph illustrates...' and 'The number of visitors staying on cruise ships fluctuated and then increased steadily making it...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as missing articles ('staying on island'), prepositions ('in seven year period'), and spelling/word-form issues ('howered'). However, these errors rarely impede communication, and the basic meaning remains clear. The grammatical control is representative of Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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