Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-09

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 7.0)

The line chart illustrates the change in number of tourists categorized into those staying on cruise ships, staying on island and the total number, visiting a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, the total number of visitors have increased consistently throughout the time period. In addition, visitors staying on cruise ships have shown a substantial growth, while those staying on island have witnessed growth despite minor fluctuations.

Regarding those staying on cruise ships, initial sum was around 0.25 million visitors in 2010. It rose to 0.5 million by 2011, before declining to 0.25 million again in 2012. By 2017, the number increased consistently to 2 million.

In contrast, the figure for those staying on island was not as steady. Initial quantity of visitors were about 0.75 million, it climbed to 1.5 million by 2013 and that number stayed unchanged for 2 years. In 2016, it dipped to nearly 1.25 million, before rising to 1.5 million again.

Finally, for the total amount of visitors, the number rised significantly from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million by 2017.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

You give a clear overview of the main trends: total visitor numbers rise overall, cruise-ship visitors grow substantially, and island-staying visitors fluctuate around a comparatively stable level. The account is supported with relevant figures, including the cruise-ship rise to 2 million and the total increase from 1 to 3.5 million. The island figures are also reported accurately, although the overview’s claim that this group showed “growth” is less precise than noting its relative stability after rising to 1.5 million. One important comparison could be made more explicit: by 2017, cruise-ship visitors had overtaken island-staying visitors. Overall, the response covers the chart well, with some scope to sharpen the overview and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is organised in a clear sequence: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for cruise-ship visitors, island visitors, and the total. This makes the information easy to follow, and transitions such as “In contrast” and “Finally” help signal shifts between categories. The chronological details within each paragraph also create a logical progression. To make the cohesion more polished, connect the series more directly rather than treating the total only in the final paragraph; for example, compare its rise with the two visitor categories. A few transitions are somewhat formulaic, but the overall progression is clear and paragraphing is appropriate.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of chart vocabulary, including “categorized,” “substantial growth,” “declining,” “dipped,” and “unchanged.” These choices communicate the trends clearly, and there is some variation in how increases and decreases are described. However, several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for describing data: “initial sum” and “initial quantity of visitors” are not idiomatic, while “witnessed growth” is vague for the island series. “The number rised” also contains a word-form error. Aim for more precise collocations such as “the figure stood at” and “the total rose.” This would make the vocabulary more consistently natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including time clauses with “before” and a contrast structure beginning “In contrast.” Most sentences convey the intended trend clearly. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In the overview, “the total number of visitors have increased” has subject–verb disagreement; “number” takes “has.” The sentence “Initial quantity of visitors were about 0.75 million, it climbed…” joins two independent clauses with only a comma, and “visitors were” also disagrees with the singular “quantity.” Articles are missing in phrases such as “on island” and “initial sum.” Review agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, while continuing to use varied sentence structures.

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