Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

The line graph compares the number of shop openings and closures in a country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of new shops declined considerably over the period, despite some fluctuations. In contrast, shop closures fluctuated significantly and surpassed the number of new shop openings by the end of the period.

An analysis of the graph reveals that 8,500 new shops were established in 2011, before falling to approximately 4000 shops in the following year. In addition, the figure for shop openings rose to 5000 in 2013 and climbed to approximately 6100 in 2014. Meanwhile, around 6,400 shops were closed in 2011, and this figure fell slightly 5900 in the next year. After that, it then again peaked around 6600 in 2014.

From the graph, it is evident that the figure for shop closures witnessed a dramatic decrease, with nearly 500 shops in 2015. Similarly, the number of new shop openings decreased to 4000 in 2015, and it was stable in the following year. However, the number of shops closed increased gradually to approximately 5100 and surpassed the number of new shop openings. Lastly, the figure for the number of shops closed was 5100 in 2018, while the openings of shops recorded 3000 in the same period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the graph. You have identified the key trends, such as the overall decline in new shop openings and the fluctuations in closures. The comparison between the two categories is clear, particularly the observation that closures eventually surpassed openings. The data is generally accurate, though there is a minor inconsistency in the description of the 2015 data point for closures, which appears to be a misreading of the graph. However, the overall summary is well-structured and addresses all parts of the task requirements, providing a clear overview and supporting details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, and you have used a range of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'Similarly' to connect sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the data analysis. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion, but the current structure is effective and clear throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'considerably', 'surpassed', and 'witnessed a dramatic decrease' are used effectively. There are occasional minor errors in word choice, such as 'the openings of shops recorded 3000', which sounds slightly unnatural. However, the vocabulary is generally appropriate for an academic task, and you avoid repetitive language. The range is adequate to communicate the trends clearly without any significant impediment to the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound. There are some minor errors, such as 'it then again peaked' (word order) and 'this figure fell slightly 5900' (missing preposition 'to'). Despite these occasional slips, the grammar does not impede communication. You have successfully used a variety of structures to describe trends, and the punctuation is generally accurate. To reach a higher band, focus on ensuring that prepositions are used correctly when describing numerical changes.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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