Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-12
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 illustrates the information regarding the number the number of new shops opening and the number of shops closed in specific country between 2011 and 2018.
It is crystal clear that, the number of newly opened shops experienced a significant decline over the period , while closed shops showed fluctuations. There were both figures are moved in opposite directions.
To begin with, in 2011 around 8500 new shops were opened which was the the highest figure in the period , while it fell down sharply in 2012 at 4000. A slight recovery was seen in 2013 and 2014 , when opening rose to over 6000. Between 2016 and 2018 the number of opening shops gradually decreased , and reaching a low of just 3000 by the end of the period.
In contrast, shop closures began at about 6500 in 2011. The figure fluctuated moderately until 2014 peaking at nearly 7000 in 2013. A dramatic drop occurred in 2015 falling to below 1000 the lowest point in the graph. After that it surged again to above 5000 in 2016 and remained steady around this level through 2018
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of both shop openings and closures between 2011 and 2018, while also making relevant comparisons. Key data points are accurately identified, such as the initial high of around 8500 new shops in 2011, the dramatic drop in closures in 2015 to below 1000, and the overall trends over the seven-year period. The overview in the second paragraph captures the broader picture effectively. While some minor details could be further extended, the response covers all parts of the prompt well, fulfilling the requirements for an overall summary of the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The text demonstrates a clear logical organization with a recognizable introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs dedicated to new shops and closures. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader, such as 'To begin with', 'In contrast', and 'After that', though some punctuation errors around these linkers occur. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct trends. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical, placing this response comfortably at the Band 6.5 to 7.0 threshold, with clear logical progression throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, incorporating terms like 'significant decline', 'fluctuations', 'recovery', 'dramatic drop', and 'surged'. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies and repetitions, such as 'number the number' in the first sentence and 'opening shops' instead of 'opening of shops' or 'newly opened shops' in the third paragraph. Nevertheless, the lexical resource is sufficient to convey the information clearly and attempts less common vocabulary with general success.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('which was the highest figure') and time clauses ('when opening rose to over 6000'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text, including double spacing before commas, a missing subject in 'There were both figures are moved', and minor verb tense or preposition issues ('at 4000' instead of 'to 4000', 'reaching' instead of 'and reached'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, representing a solid Band 6 performance.
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.