Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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 6.0)

The line graph compares the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of closures was generally higher than openings throughout the period. Both figures fluctuated significantly, with a dramatic fall in closures in 2015.

In 2011,approximately 8,500 shops closed while around 6,5oo new shops opened. Over the next three years, closures peaked at7,500 in 2014 ,whereas opening reached a similar peak of 6,500in the same year. The most notable change occurred in 2015, when closures became plummeted to just 1,000 the lowest point, while opening remained steady around 6,000 .

From, 2016 to 2018, both lines stabilized. Closures range between 5,500 and 6,000, and opening were slightly lower, Despite these fluctuations, closures outnumbered opening in most years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the main trends and identifies key features such as the 2015 dip. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which limits the depth of the analysis. While the main features are highlighted, the data reporting is somewhat inconsistent, and the failure to meet the length requirement prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure all data points are accurately transcribed and provide a more comprehensive comparison of the trends across the entire period to meet the word count requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'while', and 'from... to...' helps to guide the reader through the data. However, there are some minor issues with punctuation and spacing, such as 'From, 2016' and '6,5oo', which slightly disrupt the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is generally clear, though the transition between the overview and the body could be more seamless.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at descriptive language like 'fluctuated significantly', 'dramatic fall', and 'stabilized'. However, there are errors in word choice and form, such as 'closures became plummeted' (an incorrect collocation) and 'opening' used as a noun where 'openings' would be more appropriate. These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of the report. Expanding the range of vocabulary to include more varied synonyms for trends would improve the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('opening were slightly lower') and punctuation errors (missing spaces after commas and periods). While the meaning remains clear, these errors are frequent enough to prevent a higher band. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly regarding pluralization and verb tense consistency, and ensure that complex sentence structures are punctuated correctly.

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

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