Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The graph depicts a data of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island across a span of 7 years from 2010 and 2017.

There has been observed a stagnancy in the number of people preferring to stay on insland in 2010 to 2011 and 2013 to 2015. Total 1.5 million people are choosing to stay on island in 2017 which is the same number as 2 years before. During 2010 to 2012, there has been observed some ups and downs in the number of visitors preferring to stay on cruise ships and after 2012, there has been observed a linear spike in the number of tourists choosing cruise ships for stays.

However, in contrast, more tourists preferred cruise ships over island to stay in 2016. 2017 has the highest number of tourists (2 million) showing interest in cruise ships' stays in the last 7 years and total 3.5 million people are choosing cruise ships and island in 2017 for stay. While this total number remains constant in 2015 and 2016, it has rose in other years in the last 7 years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several relevant patterns, including the rise in total visitors to 3.5 million in 2017, the plateau in the total at 2.75 million in 2015–16, and the growth in cruise-ship visitors after 2012. However, the response does not provide a clear, balanced overview of the main trends across all three series, and some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear. For example, cruise-ship visitors did not exceed island-staying visitors until 2017; in 2016 the figures were approximately equal. The statement that the total was “the same number as 2 years before” refers to island visitors, but the comparison is not expressed clearly. Select the key trends and compare the series more precisely to develop the report fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is divided into paragraphs and uses linking expressions such as “However,” “in contrast,” and “While,” so there is some organisation. Nevertheless, the progression between details is not consistently clear: the first paragraph moves from island visitors to cruise-ship visitors without a clear overview, and the second combines a comparison between categories with the total trend. Some references are also difficult to follow, particularly “this total number” and “the same number as 2 years before.” Organise the report around an opening overview followed by clearly grouped details, and make each comparison explicit. This would improve the overall progression and reduce the impression of loosely connected observations.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “stagnancy,” “linear spike,” “preferring,” and “remains constant,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some choices are unnatural or imprecise for describing a graph: “a data of tourists,” “people preferring to stay on island,” and “choosing cruise ships for stays” do not sound idiomatic. “Linear spike” is also not an accurate description of a gradual increase. There is a spelling error in “insland,” and repeated use of “observed” and “choosing” limits flexibility. Aim for concise, conventional reporting language and check spelling and collocations so that your vocabulary communicates trends precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including longer sentences with time clauses and contrast, as in “While this total number remains constant in 2015 and 2016, it has rose in other years.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “it has rose” should be “it has risen,” and “from 2010 and 2017” needs “from 2010 to 2017.” Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or awkward, as in “stay on island” and “in 2010 to 2011.” Use past-tense forms consistently for the completed period and check article use and preposition patterns. More accurate complex sentences would strengthen the report.

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