Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-05
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 4.5)
The graph shows the count of tourists visiting a particular caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.
As we go through the graph we see that visitors staying on cruise ships have seen a dramatic change from 2013 to 2015 from an average of 0.5 million per year. Secondly, we see that the vistitors staying on the island gradually increased from 2011 to 2013 and remained stable till 2015 with a minbor downfall in 2016 then again got stabled in 2017.
Time to time we see that visitors staying on cruise ship have shown a less trend in 2012 only but values remained increasing through out the year maybe due to lack of facilities. overall on total sum we have seen that both visitors have crossed the sum of 1 million from 2010 to 2.5 million in 2014 and numbers then surpassed to 3.5 million. In only between year 2015 to 2016 both vistors values remained stable in 7 years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response addresses the task only partially and falls slightly short of the 150-word minimum, counting in at 148 words with 11 prompt-copied words excluded. The student attempts to report some main features, noting trends for visitors staying on cruise ships and the island, as well as the total figures. However, the data reporting is imprecise, confused, and sometimes inaccurate, such as mentioning a 'dramatic change from 2013 to 2015 from an average of 0.5 million per year' or stating that values remained stable 'in 7 years'. The overview lacks clarity and fails to fully capture the overall trends of the graph. To reach higher bands, the writer must ensure all reported figures accurately reflect the visual data and provide a clearer, more comprehensive summary of the main features without vague or speculative commentary.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
Information and ideas are not arranged in a truly coherent way, reflecting weaknesses in logical progression and paragraphing. The response uses informal, conversational transitional phrases like 'As we go through the graph we see' and 'Time to time', which are inappropriate for an academic report. Paragraphing is poorly handled, resulting in a disjointed structure where related information is scattered rather than grouped logically. Reference pronouns such as 'both visitors' and 'numbers' are often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of data. To improve coherence, the writer needs to adopt a formal academic tone, organise the body of the report into clear thematic paragraphs, and use standard cohesive devices accurately to link ideas and data points smoothly.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task, containing noticeable errors that occasionally impede communication. The student uses basic or awkward phrasing, such as 'the count of tourists', 'minbor downfall' (minor downfall), 'got stabled' (stabilized), and 'less trend' (downward trend). There are also instances of incorrect word formation and spelling slips, such as 'vistitors'. While the writer attempts some less common terms like 'dramatic change' and 'stable', the control over word choice and collocation is weak. To achieve a higher band, the student must expand their range of vocabulary related to data trends and ensure greater precision in word choice, form, and spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on repetitive clauses and conversational openings. Attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty, leading to awkward constructions and run-on sentences, such as 'In only between year 2015 to 2016 both vistors values remained stable in 7 years.' There are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('the graph shows the count'), preposition misuse ('staying on cruise ship' instead of 'on cruise ships'), and tense inconsistencies. These errors occur across a range of basic and attempted complex structures, causing some difficulty for the reader. To improve, the writer should practice forming grammatically sound sentences with accurate prepositions, articles, and verb tenses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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