Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-02
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 given linear graph depicts the amount of tourism in millions on the caribbean island during 2010 and 2017.
To initiate with, the visitors staying on cruise were almost negligible in 2010 stooping below 0.5 mark. However, a consistent escalation was observed after year 2013 to 2017 with the highest amount of tourists i.e. 2 millions. Subsequently, the tourists staying on island begin with steady growth for consiceutive 2 years i.e 2010 and 2011. Although, it surged from 2012 accounting to 1.5 millions however remained stagnant for 3 years i.e. 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively and then it drop down to 1.2 millions in 2016.
Nevertheless, the total amount of tourism commenced with 1 million in 2010 which exceeded to 3.5 millions in 2017 and there was consisent upliftment observed during all the in between years
As an overall view, it is apparent that out of total tourist who visited the island preferred to stay on cruise rather than on island along with that the tourism have rose fourfold through out all the years
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 cover the main trends and features of the graph, selecting data points such as the figures for 2010 and 2017. However, the task is only partially addressed due to inaccuracies in reading the data and a flawed overview. For instance, the conclusion incorrectly states that most tourists preferred staying on cruise ships rather than on the island, which contradicts the actual data where island stays were higher for most of the period. Some details are also imprecise, such as describing the 2010 cruise ship figure as 'almost negligible' and 'stooping below 0.5 mark' when it was 0.25. To reach a higher band, the response needs to accurately report the visual data without misinterpreting overall trends and provide a fully supported overview.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding overview, providing some overall organization. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by awkward transitions such as 'To initiate with' and mechanical or misused cohesive devices like 'Although' and 'however' used incorrectly within the same sentence structure ('Although, it surged... however remained stagnant'). Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is sometimes faulty or repetitive. To improve Coherence and Cohesion, the writer should use a wider variety of accurate cohesive links and ensure that sentences connect logically without grammatical interference.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate to communicate basic ideas about the graph, but the range is limited and contains noticeable errors in word choice and collocation. Examples include 'linear graph' instead of 'line graph', 'amount of tourism' instead of 'number of tourists', 'stooping' instead of 'starting', 'consiceutive' (spelling), 'accounting to' instead of 'accounting for', and 'upliftment' which is an unnatural collocation in this context. These lexical inaccuracies and spelling errors sometimes cause strain for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student must employ a wider, more precise range of vocabulary suitable for describing statistical data accurately and naturally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures with frequent grammatical and punctuation errors. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'the tourists staying on island begin with steady growth' (past tense context), 'it drop down' instead of 'it dropped down', and 'the tourism have rose' instead of 'tourism rose' or 'has risen'. Additionally, preposition use within grammatical patterns is frequently faulty. Punctuation errors, such as unnecessary commas separating subjects from verbs, are also present. To progress, the writer needs to increase the proportion of error-free complex sentences and maintain strict control over verb tenses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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