Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-17
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 graph illustrates the fluctuations in a particular country over the closing and opening of new shops from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, it is clear that both opening and closure of shops experienced a downward trend over the period. However, the number of opening shops show a significant decline as compared to shops closures, and reached at it lowest in last few years.
Looking at the details for new shops, it started at around 8,000 in 2011, showed a substantial drop and decline to nearly 4,000 in 2012. In contrast, during 2013 and 2014, it gradually rose up and number of new shops launched reached at approx 5,000 and 6,000 respectively. From 2015 to 2017, it remained constant at 4,000 and hit then a low at 3,000 in the last year.
As for the clousure of shops, the figure stood at nearly above 6,000 in the initial year. In the next 2 years, it fluctuated and reached a high of just above 7,000 in 2013. Both opening and closing of shops reached nearly at the same level around 6,300 in 2014. The number of shops closures abruptly fell in 2015, by hitting a low of under 1,000. The number then recovered in the next year and reached just above 5,000 which then remained constant until the end of period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and reporting the main features and trends of both shop openings and closures between 2011 and 2018. Key data points are cited accurately, such as the initial starting figures, the peak of 7,000 closures in 2013, and the unusual drop to under 1,000 closures in 2015. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in reading the data, such as stating that openings 'reached at it lowest in last few years' when closures also experienced a significant dip, and some slight misreadings of specific gridline values. The overview is generally sound, though the comment that openings experienced a greater downward trend than closures is slightly imprecise given the volatile nature of both datasets. Overall, the task is addressed well, meriting a Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a general overview, and then details the trends for openings and closures in separate paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used adequately to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Looking at the details', 'In contrast', and 'As for the clousure of shops'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information. However, there are some minor mechanical errors in cohesion and referencing, and occasional awkward transitions, but the overall logical arrangement remains clear, supporting a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms like 'fluctuations', 'downward trend', 'substantial drop', and 'abruptly fell'. There are, nevertheless, several lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'the number of opening shops' instead of 'shop openings', 'reached at it lowest', and the spelling error 'clousure'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success. Because the errors do not impede communication and the range is sufficient to convey the main trends, the lexical resource fits comfortably within the Band 6.0 criteria.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including introductory subordinate clauses ('As for the clousure of shops, the figure stood at...') and comparative constructions. There are several grammatical errors and awkward prepositions throughout the text, including 'reached at approx 5,000', 'hit then a low', and 'reached nearly at the same level'. Furthermore, article usage is occasionally missing or incorrect. While these errors occur regularly, they rarely impede communication, allowing the response to achieve a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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