Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The line charts illustrates the figure of shops that opened and closed in one country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall the number of shop opening decreased dramatically during the period while shop closers fluctuated before stabilising at a similar level by the end of the period.

In 2011, there were about 8,500 new shops opened, compared to around 6,500 closures. The number of openings dropped sharply to under 4,000 in 2012, then increased significantly until 2014, reaching more than 6,000. Between 2015 and 2017, the figures remained almost stable before falling again after 2017.

On the other hand, about 6,250 shops closed in 2011. The number slightly decreased in 2012 but rose again in 2013. In 2015, closures reached the lowest point, at about 500 shops, before recovering sharply to around 5,000 in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, the number of closures remained relatively stable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for both shop openings and closures. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the score. While the overview is clear, the analysis of the data is slightly inconsistent; for instance, the description of the closure trend in 2015 as reaching '500 shops' seems to misinterpret the visual data provided in the graph. To improve, ensure all data points are read accurately and that the response meets the minimum length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive summary of the trends.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs focusing on each category. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2011', 'On the other hand', and 'From 2016 to 2018' are used to guide the reader through the data. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents a higher score. Overall, the structure is appropriate for an academic task 1 response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with attempts at descriptive language such as 'decreased dramatically', 'fluctuated', and 'stabilising'. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'shop closers' instead of 'shop closures' and 'the line charts illustrates' (subject-verb agreement). While the range is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding the range of synonyms for trends and ensuring accurate word forms would enhance the quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'The line charts illustrates' (subject-verb agreement) and 'there were about 8,500 new shops opened' (passive voice usage). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive constructions when describing data. Increasing the variety of complex structures would also help in achieving a higher band score.

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

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