Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-03
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 6.5)
The line graph depicts the number of vacationers exploring the Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.
Overall, it is evident that the total number of travelers surged sharply over the seven-year period. However, initially the number of tourists who stayed on the island was higher but it was surpassed by the cruise ship travelers.
Between 2010 and 2015, the total number of tourists on the Caribbean island soared to approximately 2.7 million. Meanwhile, the tourists who remained on the island accounted for the largest number of the vacationers standing at 0.7 million. In contrast, the number of cruise passengers was lowest at the beginning approximately 0.3 million. In addition, the number of cruise passengers witnessed a dramatic rise and came close to the island tourists standing at roughly 1.3 million by 2015.
From 2015 to 2017, the total figure of vacationers at Caribbean island skyrocketed to 3.5 million. Subsequently, the number of cruise travelers surpassed the island tourists or came to end with 2 million, while the figure island visitors end with 1.5 million.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview and reporting the main features and comparisons of tourist numbers between 2010 and 2017. The overview captures the overall surge and the shift in dominance between tourist types. However, certain parts are slightly underdeveloped or imprecise, such as the initial specific figures cited in the body paragraphs ('0.7 million' and '0.3 million' rather than 0.75 and 0.25). To reach a higher band, the reporting of data needs to be slightly more accurate in alignment with the visual source, and the comparisons could be extended further to fully develop all key trends without minor inaccuracies.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are grouped effectively into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the progression over time. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Meanwhile', 'In contrast', 'In addition', and 'Subsequently' are used generally well to guide the reader through the data, although some transitional phrases like 'or came to end with' are slightly awkward or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately and supports the overall readability of the report, fulfilling the requirements for a solid performance in this area.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The vocabulary used is adequate and shows an attempt to use less common items with varying degrees of success, demonstrating a sufficient range for the task. Phrases like 'vacationers exploring', 'surged sharply', and 'skyrocketed' show a good awareness of topic-specific lexical variety. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, phrasing, and collocation, such as 'the figure island visitors end with' or 'total figure of vacationers at Caribbean island'. These lexical slips do not impede communication, but they prevent the response from achieving a higher band where greater precision and stylistic flexibility are required.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a reasonable control of grammar and punctuation. Sentences such as 'The line graph depicts the number of vacationers exploring the Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017' are accurate and well-formed. There are some grammar and punctuation errors present, such as missing articles ('the figure island visitors end with') and slightly clumsy prepositional patterns. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede communication and the majority of simple structures are handled well, balancing some successful complex attempts against occasional grammatical lapses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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