Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-17

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 6.0)

The line graph compares and contrasts the changes in the number of individuals going to Carbbean island over the period of 7 years, from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, it is clear that the total number of visitors wast the most dominant category. Similarly, visitors staying on ships and also the people staying on island followed the upward trend, despite minor fluctuations.

In term of total visitors category, the figure stood at 1 million in 2010. Following this, the figure gradually rose to 2 million by 2013 before surging to 3.5 million by the

end of the timeframe.

On the other hand, the number of people staying on ships and island also represented the upward trend with minor variations. Individuals staying on ships begin with just below half million in 2010 and increase to half million in next year, while the visitors again dropped to half in following year. However, despite the variations, the figure dramatically increase to 2 million until 2017. Similarly, the number of visitors staying on island started with more that half million and ended to 1.5 million by 201, although the figure fluctuated throughout the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the overall rise in total visitors and describe the broad upward movement in both accommodation groups, which addresses the main features of the graph. The total is accurately reported as 1 million in 2010, 2 million in 2013 and 3.5 million in 2017. However, some details are incomplete or inaccurate: the total levels off at about 2.75 million in 2015–16, and island-staying visitors rise from 0.75 million to 1.5 million, with a small dip in 2016. The cruise-ship account also misstates the 2012 figure, which falls to about 0.25 million, not 0.5 million. Develop the comparisons more precisely, especially the point at which cruise visitors overtake island visitors in 2017.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the total and the two visitor groups. This gives the reader a generally logical route through the information. You also use linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Following this,” and “Similarly” to signal relationships. To make the progression more effective, avoid relying on broad or repetitive transitions such as “On the other hand” when the figures are not contrasting directly. The final paragraph combines both accommodation groups and becomes difficult to follow as it moves between years and categories. Separate the two series or compare them at key points, and use clearer references so that “the figure” always identifies which group is meant.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of graph-related vocabulary, including “stood at,” “rose,” “surged,” “fluctuations,” and “timeframe.” These choices help describe change, although some are used imprecisely or awkwardly: “the most dominant category” does not clearly describe the total, and “represented the upward trend” is not a natural collocation. There are also spelling and word-choice slips, including “Carbbean,” “wast,” and “more that,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms such as “total number of visitors,” “increased,” and “fell,” and use “cruise-ship visitors” and “visitors staying on the island” consistently. This would make the account clearer and more natural without requiring unnecessarily elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a time clause in “before surging to 3.5 million” and a concessive phrase beginning “despite.” The main trends are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “the figure dramatically increase” needs past-tense agreement (“increased”), while “ships begin” should be “ships began.” Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or incorrect, as in “half million” and “ended to 1.5 million.” The sentence beginning “Individuals staying on ships” contains several linked changes and is hard to control. Use shorter, well-formed comparisons and check past-tense verbs, articles, and prepositions; this will improve accuracy while retaining sentence variety.

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