Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

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 an upward trend, while visitors who stayed on the island fluctuated throughout the period.

In 2010, total visitors had the highest level of attendance, at 1 million. This figure increased significantly to approximately 2.8 million of tourists in 2016 then reached its highest point at 3.5 million in 2017. Meanwhile, visitors who 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 the island started from 0.7 million and then remained relatively stable 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 1.5 million in 2017. By contrast, visitors staying 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 covers all main features and trends presented in the line graph, providing an overview in the second paragraph that highlights the upward trends for cruise ship and total visitors, alongside the fluctuations in island stay visitors. Key data points are cited, such as the starting point of 1 million total visitors in 2010 and the peak of 3.5 million in 2017. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in reporting specific data values from the graph; for instance, the text states total visitors were at 1 million in 2010 (correct) but then mentions 'approximately 2.8 million of tourists in 2016' where the graph shows 2.75 million, and '0.2 million' instead of 0.25 million. Furthermore, some phrasing like 'highest level of attendance' is slightly unnatural for tourism data. Overall, the task is addressed well, with clear comparisons made.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific categories of tourists. Cohesive devices are used adequately to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Meanwhile', and 'By contrast'. Paragraphing is handled well, grouping visitors staying on cruise ships and overall trends logically apart from those staying on the island. However, the cohesion occasionally feels a bit mechanical due to repetitive clause structures ('and then... and then...'), particularly in the final body paragraph describing the island stay visitors. Referencing and progression are generally clear, enabling the reader to follow the trends easily without confusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, employing terms such as 'upward trend', 'fluctuated', 'remained relatively stable', and 'peak'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with varying degrees of success. There are some minor lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'highest level of attendance' (visitors attend an event rather than an island graph), '2.8 million of tourists' (unnecessary 'of'), and repeating 'figure' and 'visitors' frequently. Spelling is accurate throughout, and although vocabulary choice lacks the sophistication and precision seen in higher bands, communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilizing subordinating conjunctions and contrasting transition phrases effectively ('while visitors who stayed on the island fluctuated', 'By contrast, visitors staying on cruise ships went from...'). Grammatical control is generally good, and punctuation is handled correctly. However, there are minor structural errors and awkward prepositional uses, such as 'the number of visitors visiting' (tautological) and 'fluctuated around 0.2 million to 0.5 million' (preposition pairing should be 'between... and...'). Despite these occasional lapses, the majority of sentences are grammatically sound, and errors do not interfere with the overall communication of data.

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