Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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 given bar graph provides the information about the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall it is Crystal clear that both shop closures and openings experienced a net decline over the time period. While more shops opened than closed shop in beginning of time frame, this trend inverted drastically by the end, closures shops even more than opened significantly.

At a fleeting glance, initially in 2011 the number of new shops openings began at a highest peak of graph approximately 8500. However this figure experienced sharp decline in next year about 4000. Followed by this, openings steadily recovered in 2-3 next year at peak of 6100 in 2015. After this openings of new shops turned downward once again and fluctuating slightly before finishing its lowest point of 3000 in 2018.

However, shop closures started lower than openings in 2011 at about 6400. This figure remained relatively stable before experiencing a dramatic drop after 2014, plummeting to low period under a 1000 closures in 2015. This marked widest gap between the openings and closures in entire dataset. Following this sleep decline closures surged dramatically back over 5000 in 2016, onward this in next 2 year it steadily stable at 5000 respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features and trends of the graph. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with data from the chart. However, there are some inaccuracies in your reporting of the data. For instance, you state that closures were 'under a 1000' in 2015, whereas the graph shows them closer to 1000 or slightly above. Additionally, your description of the trend in 2016-2018 as 'steadily stable' is slightly contradictory. To reach a higher band, ensure that your data points are precise and that your summary of the trends is perfectly aligned with the visual evidence provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Following this', and 'In addition' to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or awkward, such as 'At a fleeting glance' and 'onward this in next 2 year'. The flow between sentences is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be more refined to ensure that the comparison between the two categories is more integrated rather than treated in separate, isolated blocks. Overall, the progression of ideas is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'net decline', 'inverted', 'plummeting', and 'fluctuating'. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'closures shops even more than opened', 'highest peak of graph', and 'sleep decline' (likely a typo for 'steep'). These errors occasionally distract the reader. To improve, focus on more natural collocations and ensure that your word forms are accurate. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the inaccuracies prevent a higher score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include missing articles ('in 2-3 next year'), incorrect verb forms ('closures shops even more than opened'), and issues with prepositions ('at a highest peak'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent enough to lower the score. You need to focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to ensure your writing is more precise and professional. Increasing the number of error-free sentences is key to moving into the 7.0 band.

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

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