Examiner Comments
- The report provides a clear and accurate account of changes in tourist numbers over the period shown, distinguishing effectively between the two visitor categories and the overall total.
- The introduction appropriately paraphrases the task, and the overview summarises the main trends, including overall growth and the shifting balance between the two groups.
- Key features such as steady early increases, rapid growth in the later years, and the point at which cruise ship visitors overtake island-based visitors are all clearly identified.
- The response remains fully grounded in the data presented, with no speculative explanations or unsupported interpretations.
- The information is well organised, with a logical progression from general trends to more detailed discussion.
- The body paragraphs are clearly structured by time period, which helps the reader follow developments in the early and later years.
- A range of linking expressions is used appropriately to signal contrast, sequence, and result, contributing to a smooth and coherent flow.
- Paragraphing is consistent and supports clarity throughout the response.
- The report demonstrates a good range of vocabulary for describing trends and changes, using precise expressions such as “rose substantially,” “remained steady,” “temporary fall,” and “surpassing island-based figures.”
- Repetition is avoided through careful variation in phrasing, particularly when referring to quantities and overall movement, for example using “total visitor numbers,” “overall figure,” and “total arrivals” to refer to the same concept.
- Word choice is consistently formal and neutral, with appropriate academic phrasing such as “accounted for the larger share,” “played a decisive role,” and “the pattern shifted noticeably,” which is well suited to IELTS Writing Task 1.
- A variety of sentence structures is used effectively, including complex sentences that combine time references and comparisons.
- Verb forms and tenses are handled accurately and consistently, supporting clear description of changes over time.
- The writing is error-free, allowing the information to be communicated clearly and efficiently.
Useful Vocabulary
The overall number when both groups are added together.
The line chart presents changes in the number of people travelling to a Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017, separating those who stayed on cruise ships from those who stayed on the island, alongside the combined total.
Rose clearly and significantly.
Overall, visitor numbers increased markedly across the period.
Had a strong and important influence on the outcome.
Although island-based travellers accounted for the larger share for most years, the sharp rise in cruise ship tourism played a decisive role towards the end of the timeframe in pushing total arrivals to their highest level.
In the later part of the period shown.
Although island-based travellers accounted for the larger share for most years, the sharp rise in cruise ship tourism played a decisive role towards the end of the timeframe in pushing total arrivals to their highest level.
At a particular level or number.
At the beginning of the period, total visitor numbers stood at around 1 million, with approximately three quarters staying on the island and the remaining quarter on cruise ships.
Primarily caused by.
This increase was mainly the result of growth in island-based tourism, which rose to about 1.5 million, while cruise ship figures remained comparatively modest and showed only minor variation.
Stayed relatively low compared with other figures.
This increase was mainly the result of growth in island-based tourism, which rose to about 1.5 million, while cruise ship figures remained comparatively modest and showed only minor variation.
Changed very little.
This increase was mainly the result of growth in island-based tourism, which rose to about 1.5 million, while cruise ship figures remained comparatively modest and showed only minor variation.
The trend changed in a clearly visible way.
After 2013, the pattern shifted noticeably.
A short-lasting decrease.
In contrast, the number of visitors staying on the island changed little, remaining steady at around 1.5 million for most of the remaining period, apart from a temporary fall to about 1.25 million in 2016.
