Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-19
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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018. Units are measured in numbers.
Overall, it is clear that the number of new shops opened decreased by the end of the period, while the number of shops closed increased and finished at top by the end of the period despite being fluctuations.
In 2011, the number of new shops opened was 8,500 which was the highest in the figure and it decreased to 4,000 in 2012. Then it rose to 5,000 in 2013 and 6,000 in 2014 before taking a dip of 4,000 in 2015. After that it was stable until 2016 and then showed a steady rose to above 4,000 in 2017. However, it decreased to 3,000 in 2018 by the end of the period and finished lower that number of shops that closed.
On the other hand, the number of shops that closed was above 6,000 in 2011 which is the lowest in the figure and it decreased to 6,000 in 2012. Then it rose to above 7,000 in 2013. During [redacted phone] it declined to around 500 which is lowest in the figure and rose significantly to above 5,000 in 2016. It shows a steady rose by the end of the period and finished to above 5,000 in 2018, outracing the number of new shops opened.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, selecting and reporting main features and making relevant comparisons between shop openings and closures. An overview is present, noting the overall trends by the end of the period. However, there are some minor inaccuracies or misinterpretations of the data, such as claiming that closures were 'lowest in the figure' at 6,000 in 2011, and misreading the 2015 closure figure as around 500 when the chart shows 600. Additionally, the overview is slightly confusing due to phrasing like 'finished at top by the end of the period despite being fluctuations.' Nonetheless, the key trends and comparisons are effectively identified and developed, placing the response solidly in Band 6.5 to 7.0, leaning towards Band 6.0 due to data reading errors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is arranged logically into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing openings and closures respectively. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas (e.g., 'Overall', 'In 2011', 'Then', 'On the other hand'), although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('Then it rose... Then it rose...'). Paragraphing is appropriate and logical. The progression from start to finish is generally clear, though referencing and cohesive flow occasionally falter, such as ambiguous pronoun references like 'After that it was stable'. Overall, cohesion is adequate for a Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, employing terms such as 'illustrates', 'decreased', 'rose', 'stable', and 'outracing'. There are some awkward phrasings and word choice errors, such as 'Units are measured in numbers' (unnecessary and unnatural), 'finished at top', 'steady rose' (using the noun 'rose' instead of the verb or adjective 'rise/rising'), and 'lower that number' (missing 'than'). While less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success, the errors do not impede communication, supporting a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using time clauses and coordinating conjunctions effectively. However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text. Examples include tense inconsistencies and missing words or preposition errors, such as 'lowest in the figure' (missing 'the'), 'finished to above 5,000' (incorrect preposition), and 'lower that number of shops that closed'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the presence of noticeable grammatical slips in nearly every sentence restricts the score to a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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