Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-07

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 provided line graph presents the number of visitors in millions in a specific caribbean destination from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, it is clear that the total number of visitors increases throghout the given period. Despite the majority staying on land, this was surpasses by those arriving on cruise liners in the final two years.

Looking at the details, the total number stood at 1 million in 2010 which continue to increase year by year to reach around 2.7 millions 2015. This figure plateaued until 2016 before experiencing significant rise to 3.5 million in 2017.

Turning to the remaining categories, thera was a slight increase in island individuals from around 0.8 millions in 2010 to 1.5 millions in 2013. This figure remained stable in and around 1.5 millions throghout the remaing period. On the otherhand, number of visitors on cruise ships fluctuated

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main overall rise in total visitors and note that cruise-ship visitors overtake those staying on the island in the final two years. Several figures are also broadly accurate, including the total of 1 million in 2010 and 3.5 million in 2017. However, the response is incomplete: it ends after “fluctuated” without describing the cruise-ship trend, so an important category and comparison are left undeveloped. The island-stayer figure is also described as remaining around 1.5 million throughout, although it falls to about 1.25 million in 2016. The response is 142 words, below the required 150. Add the missing cruise-ship details and a concise comparison to cover the data more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for totals and visitor categories. Phrases such as “Overall,” “Looking at the details,” and “Turning to the remaining categories” help signal these stages, and the reader can follow the main progression. However, the final paragraph stops mid-idea after “fluctuated,” leaving the discussion unfinished and weakening the progression. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “This figure,” while “On the other hand” introduces a contrast that is not completed. Finish the final comparison and use clearer references to distinguish the island and cruise-ship figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “plateaued,” “significant rise,” and “remained stable,” which help describe changes. However, some choices are inaccurate or awkward: “island individuals” does not clearly mean visitors staying on the island, and “those arriving on cruise liners” is less precise than describing where visitors stayed. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “caribbean,” “throghout,” “thera,” and “remaing.” These do not prevent the general meaning from being understood, but they reduce precision and polish. Use standard chart language consistently, and proofread spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the overview sentence beginning “Despite the majority staying on land” and the contrast introduced by “before.” Meaning is generally understandable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “This was surpasses” should be “this was surpassed,” while “which continue to increase” needs “which continued to increase.” In “the number of visitors on cruise ships fluctuated,” the article is missing, and the sentence is left incomplete. There are also punctuation and spacing slips. Check tense consistency when reporting past data, ensure each sentence is complete, and review subject–verb agreement and articles.

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