Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-30
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 line chart illustrates the number of new shops that opened and closed in a region from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, the number of new shops opened fluctuated considerably throughout the period, while the number of shop closures also experienced significant changes. The figures for both openings and closures were relatively high at the beginning, but by 2018, the number of new shops opened had fallen to its lowest point.
In 2011, approximately 8,500 new shops opened, compared with around 6,400 closures. The number of new openings then fell sharply to about 4,000 in 2012, before increasing gradually to 5,000 in 2013 and 6,000 in 2014. However, in 2015, where it remained relatively stable until 2017. In the final year, the number dropped to approximately 2,900.
As for shop closures, the figure stood at around 6,400 in 2011 and declined slightly to 5,900 in 2012. It then rose significantly to approximately 7,200 in 2013, the highest figure recorded for closures. After falling to about 6,500 in 2014.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for both openings and closures. However, the report is incomplete; it stops abruptly after 2014, failing to describe the data for 2015–2018. This is a significant omission as it leaves out nearly half of the data provided in the prompt. While the overview is clear and the key features are identified, the failure to report the full period prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure all data points are covered and the summary is balanced across the entire timeframe.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In 2011', and 'However'. The progression of ideas is generally logical, though the abrupt ending of the final paragraph disrupts the overall flow. Referencing is mostly clear, but the lack of completion in the final section makes the structure feel unfinished. Using a wider variety of linking words to connect the trends between the two categories would further improve the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'significant changes', and 'declined slightly'. There is some repetition of basic verbs like 'opened' and 'closed'. While the range is sufficient to convey the main points, there is little evidence of less common or more sophisticated lexical items. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'peaked', 'bottomed out', or 'a marginal decrease'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as the sentence fragment 'However, in 2015, where it remained relatively stable until 2017', which lacks a main verb. Additionally, the final sentence is incomplete. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall accuracy. Focusing on sentence construction and ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb will help improve the grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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