Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-24

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 changes in the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island, distinguishing between visitors staying on cruise ships and staying on the island, as well as the total number of visitors over the period from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, it is evident that the figures exhibited contrasting trends over the given period, with some figures increasing, while others remained comparatively stable. The total number of visitors recorded the highest figure, whereas the number of visitors staying on cruise ships recorded the lowest figure. However, the number of visitors staying on the island increased by the end of the period.

Looking at the details, the number of visitors staying on cruise ships stood at approximately 0.25 million in 2010, after which it increased gradually to roughly 2 million by the end of the period. Moreover, the total number of visitors started at around 1 million in 2010. Thereafter, it increased continuously to approximately 3.5 million in 2017.

In 2010, the number of visitors staying on the island stood at nearly 0.75 million and then rose to just over 1.5 million in 2013. Subsequently, it remained relatively stable until the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student provides a clear and well-structured response that covers all parts of the task. The introduction accurately paraphrases the prompt, and an overview is included, highlighting the main trends such as the contrasting movements of the categories and the overall growth. Key data points are correctly selected and reported, including starting and ending figures for visitors staying on cruise ships, those staying on the island, and the total count. For example, the writer correctly notes that cruise ship visitors started at around 0.25 million in 2010 and rose to 2 million in 2017. The comparisons made throughout the text are relevant and accurate according to the provided graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The information is divided into sensible paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs detailing the specific data series. Cohesive devices such as 'after which', 'Moreover', 'Thereafter', and 'Subsequently' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Referencing and substitution are handled effectively, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain clear throughout the text. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate and appropriate for an academic task 1 report. The student successfully incorporates functional reporting language such as 'illustrates changes', 'distinguishing between', 'exhibited contrasting trends', and 'remained relatively stable'. While the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information precisely, it relies mostly on standard reporting terms without venturing into more sophisticated or less common lexical items. Spelling and word choice are accurate, causing no impediment to communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation. There is a healthy mix of simple and complex sentence structures, featuring subordinate clauses and participial phrases correctly, such as 'distinguishing between visitors staying on cruise ships and staying on the island'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and any errors are minor and non-systematic. Verb tenses are used consistently and correctly to describe past data trends (e.g., 'stood at', 'increased', 'rose').

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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