Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-25
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below shows the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Number of shop closures and openings 2011– 2018
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The graph illustrates the number of stores that closed and the digit of new shops that opened in one nation from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, it can be seen that the number of shop closures experienced fluctuations in middle years. While the digit of stall openings showed a continuous decline.
To begin with, in 2011 around six thousand shops were closed, however openings digits are high compared to closures accounted for above 8000. Moreover 4000 stalls were closed in 2012 that showed dramatically dropped in closures. but it rose significantly in 2014 accounted
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely limits your ability to report main features or make meaningful comparisons. You have only covered the initial years of the graph and failed to complete the description of the data. Because the response is incomplete and stops mid-sentence, it fails to address the task requirements adequately. To improve, you must ensure you provide a full overview and describe the trends for the entire period shown in the graph. You need to practice time management to ensure you can complete the full report within the 20-minute limit.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into short paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the progression of ideas is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall' and 'To begin with', but the lack of completion makes the overall structure feel disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'openings digits are high compared to closures accounted for above 8000', where the connection between the data points is confusing. To improve, focus on linking your sentences more smoothly and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, finished thought.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'digit' and 'number' to refer to data points. The word 'digit' is incorrectly used here; 'figure' or 'number' would be more appropriate. You also use 'stalls' to refer to shops, which is a bit informal for an academic report. There are some attempts at descriptive language, such as 'fluctuations' and 'rose significantly', but these are limited by the short length of the text. To improve, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like 'data', 'statistics', or 'figures' and avoid informal terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity. For example, 'the digit of new shops' is incorrect; it should be 'the number of new shops'. You also have issues with sentence structure, such as 'that showed dramatically dropped in closures', which is grammatically incorrect. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the use of full stops and commas. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure your sentences are complete. Practice using a mix of simple and complex sentences to demonstrate better grammatical control.
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