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 line chart provides information about the number of stores that closed and the number of new shops that opened in a particular country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall, both the number of store closures and openings fluctuated over the period, although closures experienced a particularly dramatic change in 2015.

The number of closed shops was over 6300 in 2011 and the number of openings was just about 8500 at the same time. In 2012, the number of openings sharply decreased to about 4000, and the closures declined to over 6000. After one year, the number of closed stores sharply increased to over 7200 and the new shops grew to 5000. In 2014, the number of new stores increased to just about 6200, and the closed shops declined to over 6300.

After another one year, closed shops fell dramatically to around 500, while new shops have only decreased to 4000. In 2016, the number of closures have dramatically increased to 5100, and the number of new shops did not change. The number of openings increased steadily to just about 4100, while closures decreased to over 5000. Furthermore, in 2018, the number of closures had increased slightly to about 5200, and the openings had decreased sharply to over 3000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the line chart. The overview clearly highlights the fluctuating trends for both store closures and openings, and the dramatic drop in closures in 2015. Key data points are cited accurately, such as the initial figures in 2011 and the significant changes over the period. The comparisons between openings and closures are well-integrated throughout the body paragraphs. The student makes effective use of data to support the description, meeting all the requirements for this criterion at a Band 7.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organised, featuring a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs outlining the progression from 2011 to 2018. Cohesive devices such as "In 2012", "After one year", and "Furthermore" are employed to sequence information and guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the chronological details. While referencing and sequencing are generally clear, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, preventing the response from reaching a higher band. Overall, the logical progression is maintained throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, employing terms such as "fluctuated", "sharply decreased", and "dramatically". There are appropriate attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing lacks precision, such as "after another one year" or repetitive use of "the number of". Minor inaccuracies in word choice do not impede communication. The lexical control is sufficient to convey the trends accurately, aligning with the criteria for a Band 6.5 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response incorporates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to report the data. There are frequent error-free sentences, and control over basic structures is generally sound. However, some tense inconsistencies and awkward verb forms occur, such as "while new shops have only decreased" and "the number of closures have dramatically increased". Despite these occasional errors in tense and subject-verb agreement, the meaning remains clear and communication is not impeded. The grammatical range and accuracy correspond to a solid Band 6.0.

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