Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21
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 given line graph illustrates the proportion of the number of shops that are closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.
We can see from the graph that shop openings were highest in the year 2011 around 8500 and shop closure was around 6300. In the year 2012, opening of the shops decreased sharply to 4000 in numbers and shop closures decreased to 4000. Between the year 2013 and 2014, number of shops opening increased form 5000 to 6100 and it increased from 6000 to 7000 in terms of closed shops. In the year 2014 both opening and closure of the shops are same about 6200.
Moreover, 2015 showed the major decreased in number of closed shops around 500 and shops that are opened new where also decreased to 4000 and showed a constant rate in the year 2016 and 2017, its number decreased to 3000 in the year 2018. While, closed shops spikes up to 5000 in the year 2016 and remain constant in the year 2017 and 2018.
In the closing, it is clearly seen that number of opening shops are more than closure of shops in few years.
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 covers the main features of the graph, including the initial high point in 2011 and the subsequent fluctuations. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the description of the 2015 data is confusing, stating a 'major decreased' of 500, which does not accurately reflect the visual data. Additionally, the overview provided in the final paragraph is very weak and lacks a clear summary of the overall trends, such as the general decline in both categories over the period. To improve, ensure that data points are described with greater precision and that the overview highlights the most significant trends rather than just stating that one category was higher than the other in 'few years'.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the chronological progression. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'In the closing' are not standard for an IELTS Task 1 response. Furthermore, the transition between ideas is sometimes abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the second paragraph where the subject of the sentences becomes muddled. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast', 'meanwhile') would significantly enhance the flow and logical progression of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate to convey the basic information, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'major decreased' instead of 'major decrease' and 'spikes up' which is slightly informal. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on simple descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'a downward trend', and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'number of opening shops are more') and incorrect preposition usage. There are also errors in tense consistency and article usage throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly with pluralization and verb forms, would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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