Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

A study was conducted to analyze the tourist influx to a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017. The data indicated that some visitors stayed on the island while others opted for cruise ship accommodations. Over this period, the total number of visitors increased consistently from 1 to 3 million. However, their accommodation preferences varied between cruise ships and the island.

The difference in the number of visitors who chose between cruise ships and the island fluctuated from zero to a million during this time. In 2010, the majority of visitors chose to stay on the island, outnumbering those who opted for cruise ship accommodations by approximately half a million. However, by 2017, this trend had reversed, with more visitors preferring cruise ships, surpassing island-based stays by roughly half a million.

Between 2011 and 2013, island-based accommodations experienced a spike in visitors, while cruise ship stays fluctuated. However, from 2013 to 2016, island-based accommodations remained stagnant, while cruise ship accommodations increased steadily, eventually surpassing island-based stays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview of the main trends and making relevant comparisons between the two types of visitor accommodation. The introduction sets the context well, and the body paragraphs accurately highlight key figures, such as the total increasing from 1 to 3.5 million (noted by the student as 3 million, which is within the acceptable margin) and the shift in preference from island-based stays to cruise ships. The overview is clear and the selection of features is well-supported by the provided data, meeting all criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Information is grouped reasonably into an introduction, an overview of the totals and general trends, and specific body paragraphs comparing accommodation types. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'However' and 'Between 2011 and 2013', though referencing can occasionally feel slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, ensuring the reader can follow the argument easily. This performance aligns well with Band 7.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating appropriate academic terms such as 'influx', 'accommodations', 'surpassing', and 'fluctuated'. There are occasional slight inaccuracies in collocation or word choice, such as referring to cruise ships as 'accommodations', but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success, demonstrating a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 control of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

A good mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used throughout the response, including clauses of contrast and time markers (e.g., 'Over this period, the total number of visitors increased consistently...'). Grammatical control is generally strong, with many error-free sentences, though minor slips occur. Punctuation is accurate and sentence boundaries are well-managed. The grammatical range and accuracy comfortably satisfy the criteria for a Band 7.0.

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.