Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-08

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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates the total number of tourists visiting a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, total number of visits on island is higher in all over the trend. Moreover, fluctuations was seen in both the trend of visitors staying on island and individuals staying on cruise ships which is lowest trend. Although, these trends increases simultaniously.

In 2010, total number of visits on island is higher at about 1%, and this trend goes up with the passage of time. However, from 2011 to 2014 both other trends seen ups and downs. In 2012, people staying on cruise ships is at the lowest point, as compared to visitors staying on island which is the second major trend in the graph.

From 2015 to 2017, total number of visits goes up and reaches 3.5%, as compared to other trends which reaches at about 2% and 1%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the chart’s subject and include an overview, but the main features are not reported accurately or clearly enough. The statement that the total is higher “in all over the trend” is unclear, and the claim that both visitor categories fluctuate overlooks the island-stay figure, which is mostly stable after 2013. The description of 2012 as the cruise-ship “lowest point” is also misleading without noting that this category rises substantially to 2 million by 2017. Figures are expressed as percentages (“1%” and “3.5%”) rather than millions, and the final comparison does not clearly identify which figure belongs to which category. The response is also two words below the required minimum. Include a precise overview and select key figures and trends accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing periods of the graph. This gives the reader some organisation, and phrases such as “In 2010” and “From 2015 to 2017” help signal time. However, progression is not consistently clear because several references are vague, including “this trend,” “both other trends,” and “the second major trend.” The overview’s claim about fluctuations also does not prepare the reader for the later account. Some linking words are used awkwardly or mechanically, particularly “Although” at the start of a sentence that does not complete a contrast. Group the information by series or period, and use explicit labels so comparisons are easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “total number,” “visitors,” “fluctuations,” and “reaches,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to interpret. For example, “number of visits on island” is not a natural way to describe the number of tourists, while “lowest trend” does not clearly convey a value or movement. “1%” and “3.5%” are also inappropriate labels for figures measured in millions. Spelling errors such as “simultaniously” further weaken control. Use precise chart language such as “visitor numbers,” “rose,” “remained stable,” and “million,” and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts a few complex forms, including “Although these trends increases simultaneously” and “as compared to other trends,” but sentence structures are mostly simple and errors occur frequently. Subject–verb agreement is inconsistent in “fluctuations was seen” and “these trends increases.” Tense also shifts between present and past, as in “is higher” and “was seen,” despite the chart describing a completed period. Articles and sentence construction are problematic in “Overall, total number of visits on island,” and the sentence beginning “Although” is incomplete in its contrastive logic. These errors do not make the whole response impossible to understand, but they reduce clarity. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complete sentences with consistent agreement.

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