Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-30

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 chart illustrates the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, Total number of tourists were remain highest from 2010 to 2017. Visitors staying on cruise ship is lowest in 2010, but from 2013 it slowely started growing till 2017. While, visitors staying on island remain same from 2010 to 2011.

It is evident that from starting to end the total numbers of visitors remain highest which is 3.5 million in 2017. The visitors staying on island remain same in starting two years which is approxmately 0.7 million, but in next years till 2015 it grows slowely till 1.5 million of visitors. while, in 2016 it gradually decrease with 1.2 million but similarly it increse in 2017 which is 1.5 million.

Then come visitors prefering cruise ships, in 2010 visitors in cruise ship are lowest with only 0.2 million people, it increse in 2011 with 0.5 million but again it decrease to same level. Then in 2013, the change occurs and the number of visitors increase in cruise ships which is 2 million in 2017.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the chart’s subject and give a relevant overview: total visitors rise overall, cruise-ship numbers grow towards 2017, and island stays are stable at first. Several figures are also accurately reported, including the island-stay peak of about 1.5 million and the total of 3.5 million in 2017. However, the overview’s claim that the total “remain highest” is unclear: the total is the combined figure, not a category to compare with the two components. The cruise-ship account also says growth began in 2013, although the series fluctuates before then, and its 2017 figure of 2 million is not clearly distinguished from the total. Make the overview more precise and compare the main trends directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of island visitors and cruise-ship visitors. This gives the reader a sensible route through the information. Some links, however, are mechanical or unclear. “While” begins a fragment-like contrast in the overview, and “Then come visitors” is an awkward transition into the final paragraph. The repeated idea that the total remains highest also interrupts progression rather than adding information. Use clearer links to show sequence and contrast, and avoid repeating the same point. For example, organise the body around the steady rise in the total, then compare the contrasting patterns of the two visitor groups.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary such as “number of tourists,” “visitors staying on island,” “gradually decrease,” and “increase,” so the main information is generally understandable. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, particularly with repeated forms of “remain,” “increase,” and “visitors.” Some word choices and collocations are imprecise: “Total number of tourists were remain highest” does not express the intended comparison naturally, and “visitors prefering cruise ships” suggests preference rather than accommodation type. Spelling errors such as “slowely,” “approxmately,” and “increse” also reduce accuracy. Build a more varied set of trend verbs and use precise labels for the chart categories.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes both simple statements and some attempts to connect ideas with contrast and time clauses, so there is a basic range of sentence forms. Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in verb forms and agreement occur in several key sentences. For example, “Total number of tourists were remain highest” combines an incorrect plural verb with an unnecessary verb form; “Visitors staying on island remain same” is missing an article and a suitable verb construction; and “it gradually decrease” does not maintain correct subject–verb agreement or tense. The sentence beginning “While” is also not properly integrated with the preceding clause. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complete sentences before adding linking clauses.

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