Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-19

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 compares the millions of visitors, visiting a specific Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, total number of people who visited island has increased gradually. Initially, visitor who stayed on cruise ships started at a low number but by the end it surpassed the number of people who stayed on the island. Hence, becoming the second popular option among the visitors.

The total number of people who stayed on island showed an upward trend. In 2010, the number recorded at 1 million. It rose to around 1.3 million, in 2011. From 2012 to 2015, the figures gradually increased and reached a peak point at around 2.7 million. The figure stayed at the same level in the following year before it significantly climbed to 3.5 million, in 2017.

However, visitors who stayed on cruise ships, began at low level at around 0.2 million, in 2010. The numbers fluctuated between 0.2 million to 0.5 million, from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, there was a moderate growth in the number, at 1 million. After that there was a substantial increase in the figure reaching at 2 million, in 2017.

Finally, around 0.7 million was recorded in the beginning of 2010, for people who stayed island. There was a slight decline in the figure to 0.6 million, in 2011. However, it reached to 1.5 million in 2015 before declining to approximately 1.3 million in 2016. In 2017, the number rose marginally to 1.5 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the overall rise in total visitors and note that cruise-ship visitors eventually outnumbered those staying on the island, both important features. However, the account is only partly accurate and some key comparisons are unclear. The paragraph describing the total series incorrectly calls its figures the number who “stayed on island”; for example, the 2010 total of 1 million is not the island-stayer figure, which was about 0.75 million. The overview also says cruise ships became the “second popular option,” although they were the larger category by 2017. Several trends are reported, but the distinction between the total and the two visitor groups needs to be maintained consistently, with accurate comparisons across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate paragraphs for the total and the two visitor categories. This helps the reader locate information, and time markers such as “In 2014” and “After that” support the chronology. However, progression is weakened by the inaccurate labelling of the total series as island-stayers, followed by a later paragraph about island-stayers, which makes the organisation confusing. “Finally” also introduces information that should be grouped more clearly with the earlier comparison of visitor types. Some linking is mechanical, particularly repeated “However” and “In” openings. Use paragraphing to group the total trend separately, then compare the two categories, and ensure references such as “the figure” have an unmistakable subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of trend vocabulary for this chart, including “upward trend,” “fluctuated,” “moderate growth,” “substantial increase” and “declining.” These choices generally communicate movement clearly, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid relying only on “increase” and “decrease.” Some word choices and collocations are less precise or natural: “second popular option” does not express the intended ranking accurately, while “reaching at 2 million” and “peak point” are awkward combinations. “Specific Caribbean island” is understandable, though “particular Caribbean island” or simply “the island” would be more natural in this context. Aim for precise terms such as “category,” “overtook,” and “reached a peak,” and check that each phrase describes the correct series.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including contrast with “However” and time clauses such as “before declining to approximately 1.3 million.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Articles and noun forms are inconsistent in phrases such as “total number of people” and “visitor who stayed”; the latter needs a plural form when referring to the group. There are also missing or misplaced prepositions and articles in “reaching at 2 million” and “stayed island.” The sentence fragment “Hence, becoming the second popular option” is not a complete sentence, and commas sometimes interrupt the connection between a time phrase and its clause. Review sentence completeness, article use and preposition patterns while retaining your attempts at varied structures.

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