Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given graph illustrates the total number of visitors who visited particular Carribean island between 2010 and 2017.

Overall, the number of all types of tourists increased dramatically with time. The total number of visitors were highest in first year as well in last year. the number of visitors staying on cruise ships were at the lowest point in the beginning but it rose up by last year. Moreover, the visitors staying on island were in middle in the starting and it also grew up.

The total number of visitors were 1 million in 2010 and it climbed up with time. The total number of visitors were 3.5 million by 2017. Similarly the visitors staying on cruise ships were only 0.25 million in 2010 and they stepped up gradually with time. By 2017, they were around 2 million.

Same like that, the visitors staying on island were around 0.75 million in 2010 and they rose to 1.5 million by 2015. These visitors again began to declined and went to 1.25 by 2016. The number of these visitors again grew up and again returned to 1.5 million by 2017,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all three series and give a clear broad overview of growth, supported by relevant figures such as the total rising from 1 million to 3.5 million and cruise-ship visitors increasing from 0.25 million to 2 million. The island-stay figures are also reported accurately, including the rise to 1.5 million, dip in 2016 and recovery. This meets the task well and shows some selection of key trends. However, the overview contains a factual contradiction: the total was not highest in both the first and last years; it was lowest in 2010 and highest in 2017. The claim that all categories increased “dramatically” also overlooks the relatively stable island-stay figures. A more precise overview comparing the faster cruise-ship growth with the island series’ fluctuations would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of the total/cruise figures and island-stay figures. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. Some linking is effective, for example “Similarly” and “Moreover,” but transitions are sometimes mechanical or unclear. “Same like that” is not a natural link, and repeated openings such as “The total number of visitors” make the progression feel repetitive. The overview also places several comparisons together without clearly distinguishing the three series, while the final sentence ends abruptly with a comma. Use clearer paragraphing and more varied references, and ensure each paragraph develops one comparison before moving to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic vocabulary to identify the graph’s categories and describe basic movement, including “total number,” “visitors staying on cruise ships,” “climbed,” and “declined.” Meaning is generally understandable, but the range of trend language is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural. Phrases such as “stepped up gradually,” “grew up,” and “Same like that” do not fit formal data description; “Carribean” is also misspelled. Repetition of “visitors” and “number” further limits flexibility. Aim for precise reporting verbs and collocations such as “rose,” “remained stable,” “reached a peak,” and “fell slightly.” More accurate word choice and spelling would make the account clearer and more appropriately academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the sequence of past-tense reporting is generally clear. However, errors in agreement, tense forms, articles, and sentence boundaries are frequent enough to limit accuracy. For example, “The total number of visitors were” should use a singular verb, and “began to declined” should be “began to decline.” The overview’s “the number … were” repeats the agreement problem, while “the visitors staying on island” needs an article. Capitalisation after full stops is inconsistent, and the final sentence ends with a comma rather than a full stop. Check subject–verb agreement and verb patterns, then proofread punctuation and sentence endings. These corrections would make your varied attempts more controlled.

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