Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-31

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 graph illustrates the number shop closures and openings of new outlets within a period of eight years in a certain country.

Overall, it is clear that the both openings as well as closures of shop saw a downward trend in that years. The outlet openings fell drastically whereas closure fell gradually.

In the start, the openings of new shops increased slightly from 6400 to 7100 but soon it started declining and at a specific time it was at the lowest of 600 and than again surpass the closure of shops.

On the other hand, in the start the number of shops that closed was 9500 and it reduced to 4000 and than it reached at 6100. After that it saw a steady trend and at the end it declined to 3000.

In conclusion, the number of shops openings saw more severe fluctuations whereas closure saw a relatively smooth trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying the overall downward trends for both categories. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The description of the data points is occasionally imprecise, such as the phrase 'at a specific time it was at the lowest of 600', which fails to specify the year. Furthermore, the comparison between the two lines is not fully developed; while you mention that openings 'surpass' closures, the specific years where these intersections occur are not clearly identified. To improve, ensure you provide precise data points for all key trends and clearly contrast the two categories throughout the period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'in the start' and 'then'. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. Additionally, some sentences lack clear logical progression, making the flow feel slightly disjointed. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing is clear would help improve the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe trends like 'downward trend', 'increased slightly', and 'declined'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the both openings as well as closures' (which is grammatically awkward) and 'at the end it declined'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe fluctuations and trends, such as 'plummeted', 'stabilised', or 'marginal increase'.

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. For example, 'the both openings as well as closures of shop saw a downward trend in that years' contains errors in article usage, pluralisation, and prepositional choice. There are also issues with tense consistency and punctuation. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.

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