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)
The line graph illustrates the number of visitors visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.
Overall, the most noticeable trend is the total number of visitors that increased throughout the period. Whereas, visitors staying on the island showed a fluctuated pattern.
Looking first on the people who stayed on the cruise ships, it was just quater of million individuals in 2010. however, it increased in 2011 but then it dropped again on 0.25 million in 2012. In 2014, the figure rose to a million. Furthermore, it remaind increased throught the remaining years and reached, 2 million 2017.
On the other hand, People who stayed on the island was just 0.75 million in 2010 and remained the same in 2011. However, the figure rose to one and a half million in 2013. The exact same figure can be seen in 2014 and 2015. Then we can see a sudden drop in 2016, but it again went to 1.5 million in 2017.
Turning to the total number of visitors, we can clearly state that an increasing trend is followed. In the beginning, there was just a million tourists but later on the figure rose simultaneously and reached 2 million in 2013. Moreover, the proportion reached at 2.75 million a stayed the same in 2015 and 2016. Then we can see a sudden increase and the proportion was at 3.5 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview of the main trends and reporting details for both categories as well as the total. Key features, such as the overall growth and the different trajectories of cruise ship visitors versus those staying on the island, are accurately identified and supported with figures from the graph. The overview is placed appropriately after the introduction. While a few figures are slightly imprecise or phrased informally (e.g., 'quater of million individuals'), the core information is accurately captured and compared, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0 range. We award a solid 6.5 here due to minor inaccuracies in data reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for cruise ship visitors, island stay visitors, and the total. There is a clear overall progression throughout the text. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader (e.g., 'Looking first on', 'On the other hand', 'Turning to the total number'), though some referencing is a bit mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. The logical flow could be slightly enhanced with smoother transitions, but cohesion is generally clear and effective, matching the Band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases like 'fluctuated pattern' and 'sudden drop'. However, there are several spelling mistakes ('quater', 'remaind', 'throught') and minor word choice issues (e.g., 'visitors visiting', 'rose simultaneously' when 'steadily' or 'gradually' would be more appropriate). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but errors in spelling and collocation prevent the response from achieving a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response incorporates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout, such as 'People who stayed on the island was just' (subject-verb agreement), 'dropped again on 0.25 million' (preposition error), and 'reached, 2 million 2017' (missing preposition). Despite these errors, meaning is generally not impeded, and the writer attempts a variety of sentence forms. This performance aligns well with Band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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