Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-30

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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of visitors visiting a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, visitors who stayed on cruise ships and total tourists experienced a upward trend, while visitors who stayed on island fluctuated throughout the period.

In 2010, the total visitors had the highest level of attendance, at 1 million. This figure increased significantly to approximately 2.8 millions of tourists in 2016 then reached its highest point at 3.5 millions in 2017. Meanwhile, visitors stayed on cruise ships had the lowest rates of visitors, at around 0.2 million. This figure fluctuated around 0.2 million to 0.5 million between 2010 and 2013 and then increased steadily to 2 millions of visitors by the end of the period.

In 2010, the figure for visitors staying on island started from 0.7 million and then remained relatively unchanged before increasing to 1.5 million in 2013 and then remaining relatively unchanged until 2015 before declining to 1.2 million and then returning to the 1.5 million in 2017. By contrast, visitors stayed on cruise ships went from having the lowest level of tourists to the second-highest level.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the given period. An overview is provided, noting the upward trend in cruise ship passengers and total tourists, contrasted with the fluctuations of visitors staying on the island. Key data points are cited accurately, such as the total visitors starting at 1 million in 2010 and reaching 3.5 million in 2017. However, there are minor inaccuracies in some reported figures when compared to the source data, such as claiming total visitors were at their highest level of attendance in 2010 (which contradicts the data showing 1 million as the starting point and 3.5 million as the peak), and minor misreadings like "2.8 millions" instead of 2.75. Despite these slight numerical inconsistencies, the general trends and main features are well-covered, supporting a solid Band 6.5 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized logically with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves to an overview paragraph, and then breaks down the specific categories into subsequent body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as "Overall", "Meanwhile", and "By contrast". However, paragraphing is somewhat disjointed, as the conclusion-like summary sentence ("By contrast, visitors stayed on cruise ships...") is tacked onto the end of the final body paragraph rather than integrated smoothly. Additionally, repetitive phrasing like "and then increasing... and then remaining... and then declining" creates a slightly mechanical feel. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical flow between sentences could be tighter.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully employing terms such as "illustrates", "fluctuated", "significantly", and "approximately". Less common lexical items are attempted, though with some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as "highest level of attendance" applied to visitor numbers, and pluralising numbers incorrectly like "2.8 millions" instead of "2.8 million". Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and the lexical choices never impede communication, placing the response comfortably in the Band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses introduced by 'while' and 'as'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as "experienced a upward trend" (missing 'an'), "visitors who stayed on island" (missing an article), and the repetitive string of clauses joined by "and then". Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors do occur, they rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the intended message without significant difficulty.

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