Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04

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 graph provides the comparative trend between two aspects in a country from 2011 to 2018: the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened.

Overall, at the start of the period, more shops were opened as compared to the closing of shops. During the whole period, numerous fluctuations occurred from time to time, and both categories overlapped each other.

In 2011, shop openings stood at approximately 8,500, while closures were lower at 6,500. By 2012, closures had edged down slightly to 6,000, overtaking openings, which plummeted to just 4,000. In 2013, the figures converged, with openings rising to 5,000 and closures climbing to 7,100. The following year, openings continued their upward trajectory, reaching 6,100, whereas closures experienced a downward turn to around 6,200.

In contrast, the closure of shops showed a sharp decline from around 6200 in 2014 to around 600 in 2015. Furthermore, the opening of shops had a slight decline and moved to 4000 in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, the new shops category remained stable, while closing surpassed the former class in 2016 and moved to around 5000. In 2017, the closure had slight fluctuations to stay about 5000 at the end of the period, while openings had a slight decline in 2018 and remained at 3000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features and trends of the graph. The overview provides a clear summary of the general patterns, and you have made relevant comparisons between the two categories. You have covered all parts of the task well. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reporting; for instance, you mentioned that closures dropped to 600 in 2015, whereas the graph indicates a figure closer to 5,000. Ensuring precision when reading the axes is crucial for a higher band score. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological progression. You have used a range of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', and 'The following year' to link your ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section serving a distinct purpose. The flow of information is generally smooth, though some transitions between sentences could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion. The logical progression of the data reporting is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends, including terms like 'upward trajectory', 'converged', and 'fluctuations'. There is an attempt to use less common items, which is positive. However, there are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'closing surpassed the former class' and 'the new shops category remained stable'. While these do not impede communication, more precise terminology would enhance the quality of your writing. Overall, your vocabulary is adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You have demonstrated a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are clear and easy to understand. There are some minor grammatical errors, such as 'the closure of shops showed a sharp decline' (where 'closures' might be more natural) and 'closing surpassed the former class' (which lacks a clear subject). However, these errors are infrequent and do not cause difficulty for the reader. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures with greater precision.

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

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