Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-01
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 amount of tourists visiting a particular carribben island between 2010 and 2017.
Overall, it is clear that totale number of tourists increased significantly over the period ,while the number of visitors staying on the island grew more moderately . Another noticeable feature is that visitors staying on cruise ships experienced the most significant increase.
Looking first at total number of visitor , the figure stood at 1 millions in 2010 . It then significantly increas to 2.5 million 2014, before reaching 3.5 million in 2015 . It remaind stable at approximately 3.5 million until 2017 .
Turning to visitors staying ships between 2010 to 2014 followea a different pattern .The figure rose frome around 0.3 to 2 million .where visitors staying on island similar increase at around 0.7 to 1.5 million .By the end of the period , staying ships had recorded the highest figure , while island had the lowest .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response attempts to address all parts of the task by reporting the main features and trends of the graph, such as the overall upward trajectory and the specific categories of tourists. However, the information presented contains several inaccuracies when checked against the visual data. For instance, the total number of visitors in 2015 is incorrectly stated as reaching 3.5 million, whereas the data shows it was around 2.75 million, and it is reported to have remained stable at 3.5 million until 2017 when the total actually rose to that figure in 2017. Furthermore, the details regarding cruise ship visitors and island-staying visitors in the final paragraph are confused and poorly supported with accurate figures. These limitations mean the response only partially addresses the prompt, as the selection and reporting of data lack accuracy and proper development.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response exhibits some basic organisation, dividing the text into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that attempt to discuss different aspects of the graph. However, there is a lack of clear overall progression and logical flow between sentences and paragraphs, partly due to the confused reporting of data. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes mechanical or inaccurately applied, such as the abrupt transition in the final paragraph ('Turning to visitors staying ships between 2010 to 2014 followea a different pattern'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal structuring of ideas lacks the control and coherence needed for a higher score, leading to a choppy and disjointed reading experience.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for the task, featuring basic terms related to data reporting such as 'line graph', 'illustrates', 'increase', and 'stable'. There are numerous noticeable errors in spelling, word choice, and word formation throughout the text, including 'carribben', 'totale', 'increas' (used as a verb form), and missing prepositions or incorrect phrasing such as 'staying ships'. These lexical inadequacies and frequent spelling mistakes cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the response from achieving a higher band, as the range of vocabulary remains restricted and imprecise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences with frequent attempts at past-tense reporting that contain structural errors. There are numerous grammatical mistakes, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('It remaind stable'), missing words ('total number of visitor'), and faulty clause structures (e.g., 'where visitors staying on island similar increase at around 0.7 to 1.5 million'). Punctuation and spacing errors, such as spaces before commas and periods, are also prevalent. These frequent errors in basic and attempted complex structures cause noticeable difficulty and distraction for the reader.
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