Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25

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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the number shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one nation between 2011 and 2018.

Overall, the number of new shops opened fluctuated considerably but showed an overall decline over the period. The number of shop closure also varied significantly, reaching a dramatic low in 2015 before recovering, In most years, more shops closed than opened.

In 2011, approximately 8500 shops closed, compared with around 6400 new openings. The number of closure then fell to about 6200 in 2012, before rising to a peak of roughly 7300 in 2013 , It subsequently declined slightly to around 6600 in 2014 . However, there was a dramatic drop in closures in 2015, when the figure reached only about 1000.

After this sharp decline, the number of closures increased dramatically to approximately 5500 to 5600 in 2016 and 2018 respectively . The number of shops opened followed a different pattern. Starting at approximately 6400 in 2011, this figures fell to 4000 in 2012. It then increased steadily, reaching around 5100 in 2013 and 6100 in 2014. Following this, openings declined to about 4200 in 2015 and remained at a similar level in2016 . The figure rose slightly to 4500 in 2017 before falling to around 3400 in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the data. You have highlighted the key features, such as the overall decline in new shop openings and the significant fluctuation in closures, particularly the dramatic drop in 2015. The comparisons between the two categories are well-integrated throughout the report. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the data is used effectively to support the description. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview is even more distinct and that all data points mentioned are accurate, as there were minor discrepancies in the interpretation of the figures provided in the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'however', and 'after this' are used to guide the reader through the trends. However, there are some minor issues with punctuation, such as the comma splice in '...in 2013 , It subsequently...' and the lack of a space in 'in2016'. Improving the precision of your punctuation and ensuring consistent paragraph structure will enhance the flow and coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'dramatic low', 'recovering', and 'steady'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'the number of shop closure' (should be plural 'closures') and 'this figures fell' (should be 'these figures' or 'this figure'). To improve, try to incorporate a slightly wider variety of synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' to avoid repetition and demonstrate more sophisticated control over collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. While many sentences are error-free, there are some recurring grammatical slips, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('this figures fell') and punctuation errors (comma splices and spacing). These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for small grammatical inconsistencies and ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.