Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 line graph shows the number of tourists in millions visiting a specific Carribean island. Overall, the total number of visitors on the island increased from 2010 to 2017.The number of visitors stayed on a cruise increased in comparion to those who stayed on island.

The total number of visitors increased significantly from 1 million in 2010 to 3.5 million in 2017.Number of visitors who stayed on island increased from roughly 0.25 million in 2010 to 0.5 million in 2013 with some fluctions over the years. The number tourist staying on cruise ships increased significantly in the following years to 2 millions in 2017.

The number of tourists staying on island was initially higher than cruise ships but later declined. In 2011, visitors increased slightly from 0.5 million to 1.5 million in 2013 and then plateaued at this number till 2015. Number of visitors varied over the next 2 years before setlling at 1.5 millions in 2017.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the overall rise in total visitors and note that cruise-ship numbers grew, which are relevant main features. However, the account is only partly accurate and developed: the island-stay figure is given as 0.25 million in 2010 and 0.5 million in 2013, whereas the chart shows about 0.75 million and 1.5 million respectively. The sentence describing a rise “from 0.5 million to 1.5 million in 2013” also confuses the series and dates. You do mention that island visitors were initially more numerous, but the key crossover—cruise visitors overtaking island visitors by 2016—is not clearly reported. Select the correct figures and compare the two categories across the period more consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details, and phrases such as “Overall,” “In 2011,” and “over the next 2 years” help signal sequence. However, progression is not consistently clear because the two visitor categories are mixed together. For example, the paragraph first reports cruise-ship growth, then shifts to island visitors, while the final paragraph begins with island visitors but gives a rise that appears to describe another series. This makes references such as “this number” and “visitors” difficult to follow. Organise the body by category or by clear time periods, and name the group in each comparison. More accurate linking and referencing would make the account easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a serviceable range for describing trends, including “increased significantly,” “plateaued,” “varied,” and “settling,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some wording is repetitive, particularly repeated uses of “increased,” “number of visitors,” and “stayed.” There are also noticeable spelling and word-choice problems, including “Carribean,” “comparion,” “fluctions,” and “setlling.” Phrases such as “visitors stayed on a cruise” and “stayed on island” are not natural descriptions; use “staying on cruise ships” and “staying on the island.” Aim for precise, consistent labels for each group and check spelling, plurals, and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, errors in sentence boundaries, articles, plurals, and verb patterns are frequent enough to limit accuracy. For instance, there is no space or full stop between “2017.” and “The number,” and “Number of visitors who stayed on island” needs an article. “The number tourist staying” is missing a plural marker, while “2 millions” should use a singular unit after a number. The sentence beginning “In 2011, visitors increased slightly…” also has an unclear grammatical subject and comparison. Use complete sentences with clear subjects, and check articles and singular/plural forms. This will make your trend descriptions more controlled.

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