Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-14

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 4.5)

The given line graph illustrates the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.

To begin with, in 2012, the number of visitors staying on cruise ships was 3 million. Compared to the island, it started at 0.3 million. The number of visitors on cruise ships increased slightly to 0.5 million after 12 months, and it declined in 2012 to the same level as it started. After that, it reached its peak, which was 1.3 million in 2015, and it reached its highest level of visitors in 2017, which was 2 million. By contrast, the number of visitors staying on the island from 2010 to 2011 remained the same. After that, the figure increased considerably, reaching 1.5 million from 2013 to 2015, and then decreased to 1 million, with a slight rise in 2017 to the same level, which was 1.5 million.its was the lowest compared to cruise ships at the end of the period. In most of the visitors staying at 2010 visitors staying on cruise ships started at 1miloin and the end its reached 3.5 million visitors over 7 years

overall, the number of cruise ship visitors stayed at a high level, while the island had the lowest number of visitors staying on the island.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies both visitor groups and attempts to describe changes over time, but several central figures are seriously misreported, which makes the account only partially accurate. For example, cruise-ship visitors were about 0.25 million in 2010, not 0.3 million, and the claim that they reached 3 million in 2012 is incorrect; the figure was about 0.25 million. The island figure in 2010 was about 0.75 million, not 1 million. The overview is also misleading: cruise-ship numbers did not remain high throughout, and island visitors were not consistently the lower group. Focus on the overall rise in the total, the steady growth in cruise visitors, and the comparatively stable island figures, checking each number against the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is an attempt to organise the report chronologically and to contrast the two categories, using phrases such as “After that” and “By contrast.” However, the information is not arranged coherently throughout. The paragraph shifts between years and categories, and the sentence beginning “its was the lowest” is attached awkwardly to the preceding point. The later statement about 2010 visitors and the total reaching 3.5 million is difficult to interpret because the categories are confused. The final overview repeats a comparison but does not clearly summarise the main trends. Use separate, clearly developed paragraphs for an overview and the key details, and keep each sentence focused on one series or comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses a basic but relevant range of vocabulary, including “increased considerably,” “declined,” “remained the same,” and “reached its peak.” These expressions help communicate changes, although some are repeated and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “stayed at a high level” and “the lowest number of visitors staying on the island.” There are also noticeable spelling and word-form problems, including “1miloin,” which reduce the clarity and polish of the report. Aim for more precise chart language and consistent units, for example, “the figure for cruise-ship visitors rose” or “the total number of visitors.” Check spelling and avoid repeating “number of visitors” when a clear reference such as “this figure” is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentences and uses past-tense forms to describe the period, as in “the figure increased considerably, reaching 1.5 million.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make parts of the report difficult to follow. Examples include the incomplete or poorly connected phrase “its was the lowest,” the run-on transition into “In most of the visitors,” and inconsistent sentence boundaries and capitalisation. The sentence about the cruise-ship figure in 2012 also combines a date and value in a way that obscures the intended meaning. Practise building clear subject–verb sentences, use full stops to separate distinct points, and check pronouns and verb forms before submitting.

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