Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14

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 graph tracks the record of the number of stores shut down and started in a particular country during 2011 and 2018.

Overall, both the number of shops that get closed and opened recorded a significant decline over the whole period. However, the total number of shops that started overtook the total number of shops that discontinued after the half of the period.

In 2011, nearly 8500 shops were closed, while just above 6000 were newly opened shops. The number of both the type of shops became approximatetly equal in 2014, reached close to 6200, after noticeable change in the number of discontinued shops. Moreover, a dramatic decrease observed in the number of new stores, reaching around 5000 in 2015 before resurging at just above 5000 in 2016, and leveled off at the same number in 2018.

In contrast, the stores that got shutdown reported a sudden decline in 2015 at 4000, and continued till 2017 with slight fluctuation before falling down to 3000 in 2018. Furthermore, the number of closed shops were more than newly opened at the begining of the period, while it became opposite by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by identifying and reporting the main features of the graph, such as the overall downward trends and the point at which openings overtook closures. Key data points, including the figures for 2011, 2014, and 2018, are accurately cited and compared. The overview clearly highlights the broader trends, fulfilling the requirements for an Academic Task 1 response. Although some specific minor data points could be expanded further, the student has provided a well-rounded and accurate summary of the provided visual data, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that detail the trends. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different parts of the data. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'Furthermore' are employed to guide the reader through the comparisons and trends. Progression is generally clear throughout the text, although some transitional phrasing is slightly mechanical. Referencing between sentences remains clear and maintains the logical flow of the information presented.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate and generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'significant decline', 'dramatic decrease', and 'leveled off'. There are some less common lexical items attempted, such as 'resurging' and 'discontinued shops', though a few minor inaccuracies appear, such as the misspelling 'approximatetly' and awkward phrasing like 'the number of both the type of shops'. Nevertheless, the lexical range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and precisely, allowing the reader to follow the data without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using clauses effectively in sentences such as 'while just above 6000 were newly opened shops' and 'before resurging at just above 5000 in 2016'. There are some grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the number of shops that get closed', 'the number of closed shops were more'), and minor spelling slips. However, these errors do not impede communication, and the majority of simple sentences remain accurate, showing a reasonable level of control over basic and intermediate grammar.

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