Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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, the opening of shops accounted for about 8500, while closure was approximately 6500. Additionally, after one year, closed shops showed a slight decrease and moved to 6000, while the opening of shops class witnessed a significant decline from 8500 in 2011 to 4000 in 2012. In addition, the opening and closing of the shops accounted for 5000 and 7100, respectively, in 2013. Moreover, the former followed the upward trajectory and climbed to 6100; the latter had experienced a downward turn with around 6200 in 2014.

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 plummeted and moved to 4000 in 2015. Between 2016 and 2017, the new shops category remained stable, while closing surpassed the former class in 2016 and moved to around 5000. Finally, the closure had slight fluctuations in 2017 and jumped to 5000 at the end of the period, while openings had edged down in 2018 and remained at 3000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered the key features, such as the initial higher number of openings and the subsequent fluctuations. However, the report could be improved by making more direct comparisons between the two categories at specific points in time, rather than just listing figures. For instance, noting that the gap between closures and openings was widest in 2012 would add analytical depth. The data points are generally accurate, and the summary effectively captures the overall movement of the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with a logical progression from the overview to the specific details. You have used a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover', which help the reader follow the flow of information. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing of 'the former' and 'the latter' is occasionally a bit clunky. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'upward trajectory', 'plummeted', and 'edged down'. There is an attempt to use less common items, which is positive. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'opening of shops class' and 'the former followed the upward trajectory', which sound slightly unnatural. While these do not impede communication, refining these collocations would elevate the response to a higher band.

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 error-free, though there are occasional slips, such as 'the opening and closing of the shops accounted for 5000 and 7100, respectively', where the phrasing is slightly awkward. Punctuation is generally accurate, and your control over verb tenses is consistent with the past time frame required for this task. 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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