Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-27
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 tourists visiting a Caribbean island between 2010 to 2017. It provides a detailed comparision of the number of individuals choosing to stay on cruise ships versus those staying on the island.
The figures indicate that since 2010 the total number of tourists visiting the island has gradually increased, a particularly dramtic rise was seen from 2016 to 2017. Previously, tourists preferred to stay on the island over cruise ships but in recent times there has been a reversal in this trend.
The number of visitors staying on cruise ships fluctuated between just below 0.5 million and 0.5 million until 2013, before increasing gradually thereafter. The figures rose from 1 million in 2014 to 2 million by 2017. By contrast, The number of visiotors staying on the island remained stagnant at less than 1 million between 2010 and 2011 but began to gradually increase till 2013. In 2013, the figures stood at 1.5 million and continued to remain constant till 2015, post which there was a slight decline in 2016. But by 2017, the figure once again reached 1.5 million visitors. The numbers for those staying on the island rose particularly in the initial years but thereafter was only able to maintain a steady figure and was ultimately overtaken by the numbers residing on cruise ships between 2015 and 2016.
The total number of visitors to the island has rose substantially since 2010. It rose from 1 million visitors in 2010 to 2.5 million in 2014. Between 2015 and 2016, it remained steady at slightly over 2.5 million and later witnessed a dramatic rise to 3.5 million by 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 student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and making relevant comparisons between cruise ship visitors, island stay visitors, and the total figures. The overview provided in the second paragraph captures the general upward trend and the reversal in preference between the two categories. Data points are accurately referenced, such as noting the total number rising from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017, and tracing the fluctuations of those staying on the island. The response meets all the core requirements for Task Achievement, demonstrating a clear understanding of the visual data without significant omissions or inaccuracies.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into four paragraphs with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific data series. Progression is maintained throughout the response. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as "By contrast," "previously," and "thereafter," guiding the reader smoothly through the contrasting trends. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of tourists, although referencing could occasionally be tighter. Overall, the structural flow supports clear communication.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suited for a Task 1 response, employing terms like "gradually increased," "fluctuated," "stagnant," and "reversal in this trend." However, there are a few spelling and typographical errors, such as "comparision," "dramtic," and "visiotors." Less common lexical items are attempted with general success, but these minor mechanical inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms effectively, incorporating subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., "The figures indicate that since 2010 the total number of tourists... has gradually increased"). There is a notable grammatical error in the final paragraph: "The total number of visitors to the island has rose substantially," where the past participle after "has" should be "risen." Despite this and a few minor punctuation slips, the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and do not impede communication.
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