Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-06

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)

this graph gives information about number of tourists visiting particular caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

overall, graph shows visitors staying on cruise ships increases over the years. otherside are slightly high in the start od 2010 but at the end in 2017 less then visitors staying.

visitors staying on cruise ships starts in 2010 goes little high at 0.5 the move down in 2011. In 2012 it touches again 0.5 million moreover in next year at became double and in 2015 goes high at 1.2 million further in next year stop at 2016 at the last in last year it move on top at 2.

the visitors who are staying on island high firstly then 2011 to 2013 it moves at 1.5. moreover from 2013 to 2015 remain unchange further move little down then in 2017 came at previous level. due to increase of both visitors the total amount increases at high point with 3.5 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the graph, such as the overall upward trajectory of cruise ship tourists and the general pattern of island-staying visitors. However, some ideas are under-developed or lack clarity, particularly when attempting to describe specific data points and comparisons. For instance, the description of visitors staying on the island as being 'slightly high in the start od 2010 but at the end in 2017 less then visitors staying' is vague and imprecise. While an overview is attempted, it lacks precise distinction between the categories at certain points. To reach a higher level, the response needs to extend and support the main trends with clearer data reporting and a more fully articulated overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

There is a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to group information into paragraphs, separating the introduction, the two data categories, and the overall trajectory. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. Words like 'moreover', 'further', and 'then' are used repeatedly to link sentences without always establishing a clear logical progression. Referencing and transitional phrases lack smooth integration, making the flow somewhat choppy. For example, 'the visitors who are staying on island high firstly then 2011 to 2013 it moves at 1.5' demonstrates awkward cohesion and referencing. To improve, the writer should employ a wider and more natural range of cohesive devices and ensure that referencing between ideas is precise and transparent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it remains basic and limited in range. The writer attempts less common vocabulary with some noticeable inaccuracy and awkward phrasing, such as 'otherside', 'goes little high', and 'remain unchange'. There are also minor spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'od' instead of 'of' and 'at became double' instead of 'it became double'. While these errors do not seriously impede overall communication, they restrict the lexical score. To move up, the writer needs to incorporate a wider variety of precise, task-appropriate vocabulary and collocations, and minimize spelling and word-form errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response displays a very limited mix of sentence forms, relying primarily on simple and poorly constructed complex sentences. There are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and article usage throughout the text. Examples include missing articles ('this graph gives information about number of tourists'), incorrect verb forms ('visitors staying on cruise ships starts'), and faulty prepositional or structural patterns ('came at previous level' instead of 'returned to the previous level'). Punctuation is also lacking, with sentences starting with lowercase letters. These errors can cause occasional difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher score, the writer must demonstrate better control over basic grammatical structures, improve tense consistency, and produce a higher proportion of error-free sentences.

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