Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-25

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 4.0)

The line graph illustraes the number of visiters to a caribbean island over a period of time.

overall, the total number of visiters increased dramatically over the period of seven-years while, the number of visitors staying on cruise ship and on island rosed but both decreased once in a period of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You identify the graph’s subject and give a broad overview that the total number of visitors rose, which is relevant. However, the response is far too brief to summarise the main features adequately and does not report any figures or make meaningful comparisons. The claim that both visitor groups “decreased once” is unclear and does not accurately describe the overall patterns: cruise-ship visitors fluctuated early on before rising, while island-staying visitors rose, levelled off, and dipped slightly in 2016. The required minimum of 150 words is not met. To improve, include an overview of the contrasting trends and support it with selected start, end, and turning-point figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, understandable order: it first introduces the graph and then gives an overall statement. The opening “The line graph…” and the following “overall” sentence provide a simple division between introduction and overview. However, there is no further progression because the response contains no detailed description or comparisons, and the overview’s ideas are compressed into one sentence. The linking word “while” attempts to contrast trends, but the relationship between the total and the two visitor categories is not expressed clearly. Develop separate, logically ordered details about the total and the two categories, using clear links such as “By contrast” or “Meanwhile” where appropriate.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use a small set of relevant terms, including “line graph,” “number of visitors,” “increased dramatically,” and “period,” so the general topic is recognisable. However, the vocabulary is limited and some spelling errors affect accuracy: “illustraes,” “visiters,” and “caribbean.” The phrase “rosed” is not the correct form, and “decreased once in a period of time” is vague and does not describe a specific trend naturally. Use precise trend language and vary the terms for the groups, for example, “cruise-ship visitors” and “visitors staying on the island.” Accurate spelling and more specific descriptions would make the summary clearer and more appropriate for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You produce a basic sentence introducing the graph and a longer sentence attempting to summarise several trends. This shows some ability to combine ideas, but the range is narrow and the longer sentence is not controlled consistently. In “while, the number…,” the comma is incorrectly placed after the linking word, and the clause structure becomes difficult to follow. The phrase “both decreased once” also leaves the timing and subject of the decrease unclear. Capitalisation at the start of “overall” should be corrected. Aim for clear, complete sentences with one main comparison at a time, and check punctuation around linking words and clauses.

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