Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The graph shows the variation on number of shops closed and new shops opened over the time period of 2011 to 2018 in a country.

In the starting of the period, numbers of closed shops were higher than the number of new shops opened. Closed shops were nearly 8500 and new opened shops were almost 6400. By the time passed, in 2012 and 2013 this pattern converted in reverse manner and opening of new shops rose than the closing of shops. Numbers of both types of shops met at one point, which was nearly 6200 in the year 2014. After that, during 2015, both shop numbers dropped, however new shops drastically declined and reached almost zero and suddenly rose in the very next year up to more than 5000. After that, new openings remain higher as compared to the closures of shops for remaining years.

Overall, dramatical changes had been seen in the numbers of both type shops over a time period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the initial trend, the crossover point in 2014, and the fluctuations in 2015-2016. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, describing the 2015-2016 period as 'drastically declined and reached almost zero' is an overstatement, as the graph shows a drop to roughly 500-1000, not zero. Additionally, the overview is quite brief and lacks a clear summary of the overall trend. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are described more accurately and provide a more comprehensive overview that synthesizes the main trends rather than just listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three paragraphs, which is a logical structure for a short report. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving chronologically through the years. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'By the time passed' and 'After that' are used repeatedly, which makes the flow feel a bit repetitive. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect sentences more fluidly and to show the relationship between the data points more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are some awkward collocations, such as 'variation on number' instead of 'variation in the number' and 'dramatical changes' instead of 'dramatic changes'. The student relies on basic descriptive language. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'surpassed', 'a significant decline', or 'a steady recovery', and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'In the starting of the period' (should be 'At the start'), 'new opened shops' (should be 'newly opened shops'), and 'this pattern converted in reverse manner' (should be 'this pattern reversed'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable and occur throughout the text. Increasing the accuracy of basic grammar and refining the use of articles and prepositions would significantly improve the quality of the writing.

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

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