Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-28
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 7.5)
The chart below illustrates the number of visitors touring a specific Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, the number of tourists visiting the Caribbean island increased considerably between 2010 and 2017. While the number of visitors staying on the island rose steadily, those staying on cruise ships experienced a more dramatic increase, particularly towards the end of the period.
In 2010, the island received 1 million tourists in total. Of these, approximately 0.75 million stayed on the island, and 0.25 million stayed on cruise ships. The total number of visitors then increased steadily, reaching 1.5 million in 2012 and 2 million in 2013. By 2014, it had risen to 2.5 million, before reaching about 2.75 million in both 2015 and 2016.
The number of visitors staying on the island increased from around 0.75 million in 2010 to 1.5 million in 2013. It then remained at this level until 2015, before falling slightly to approximately 1.25 million in 2016 and returning to 1.5 million in 2017. In contrast, cruise-ship visitors fluctuated between 2010 and 2013, but then it rose from 1 million in 2014 to 2 million in 2017. Consequently, the total number of tourists reached a peak of 3.5 million in 2017.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the visual data. The response successfully identifies the main features and overall trends, such as the considerable overall increase in tourism from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017. Relevant comparisons are made between visitors staying on the island and those staying on cruise ships, noting how cruise ship visitors experienced a more dramatic rise, particularly towards the end of the period. The data cited (e.g., 0.75 million, 1.5 million, 2 million) is accurate and well-selected from the prompt's factual reference, demonstrating a strong understanding of the chart without unnecessary repetition of every single data point.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The text is logically organised with a clear progression from an introductory overview to specific body paragraphs detailing the categories. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with the first body paragraph focusing on the total numbers and initial timeline, and the second breaking down the specific tourist types and contrasting their trajectories. Cohesive devices are managed well, using phrases like 'In 2010', 'Of these', 'then', and 'In contrast' smoothly to guide the reader through the data. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to an easy flow of information.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for Task 1, incorporating precise terms and phrases such as 'considerable', 'rose steadily', 'dramatic increase', 'reached a peak', and 'fluctuated'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural ('visitors staying on the island', 'cruise-ship visitors'). There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is effective, occasional use of even more sophisticated or uncommon lexical items would be needed to reach the highest band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response features a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'While the number of visitors staying on the island rose steadily, those staying on cruise ships experienced a more dramatic increase...' and 'By 2014, it had risen to 2.5 million, before reaching about 2.75 million...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating strong control of grammar, tense consistency, and punctuation. There is a minor slip with pronoun agreement ('cruise-ship visitors fluctuated between 2010 and 2013, but then it rose' where 'it' should be 'they' or 'this figure'), but this is an isolated error and does not impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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