Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-02
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 illustrate the figures of shops closures and the numbers of shops opening in one country over 8-year period, from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, more shops closed than opened during most of the period.Both closure and opening rates fluctuated considerabley, with particulary sharp decline in closures in 2015, by the end of the period, the number of the closure remained higher than the number of openings,
In 2011, approximately 8,500 shops closed down, compared to about 6,500 that opened. In the following year, closure dropped dramatically to around 4,000 while opening fell to just under 4,000. Both figures then rose, with closures peaking at 7,000 in 2013 and opening reaching about 5,500. The two lines met in 2014 at approximately 6,500. In 2015, the opened shops faced a decline of 500 shops were open that time
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified some main features and trends, the report is incomplete; it stops abruptly in 2015, failing to cover the data up to 2018. To achieve a higher band, you must provide a comprehensive overview of the entire period shown in the graph. The lack of completion means the key features of the latter half of the period are entirely missing, preventing a full summary of the information provided in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into an introduction, an overview, and one body paragraph. However, the progression is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In 2011' and 'In the following year', which help to sequence the information logically. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraph is slightly abrupt, and the lack of a concluding summary or further development of the data makes the overall structure feel unfinished. Paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is underdeveloped.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuated', 'dramatically', and 'peaking'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'considerabley' and 'particulary', which detract from the quality of the writing. Additionally, there are minor word-choice issues, such as 'the figures of shops closures' instead of 'the number of shop closures'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the precision and error-free control required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The line graph illustrate') and punctuation errors, such as the comma splice in the second paragraph ('...in 2015, by the end of the period...'). The final sentence is also grammatically incomplete and confusing ('In 2015, the opened shops faced a decline of 500 shops were open that time'). These errors occasionally impede the flow of information, though the meaning remains generally clear.
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.