Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
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 on top by the end of the period experiencing 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 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 than the number of shops that closed.
On the other hand, the number of shops that closed was above 6,000 in 2011 which was 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 was the lowest in the figure and rose significantly to above 5,000 in 2016. It shows a steady rise by the end of the period and finished to above 5,000 in 2018, outstripping the number of new shops opened.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and comparisons for both shop closures and openings between 2011 and 2018. A clear overview is provided at the beginning, noting the general downward trend for openings and the upward trajectory for closures. However, there are a few data misreadings and inaccuracies when compared to the visual data. For instance, the student states that the number of closures in 2015 declined to around 500, whereas the graph indicates approximately 600, and describes the 2011 closures figure as the lowest in the figure, which is factually incorrect as 6,400 was quite high. Despite these data slips, the response effectively covers the overall trends and comparisons. Band score: 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introduction and overview, followed by two distinct body paragraphs dedicated to shop openings and closures respectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2011', 'Then', 'Before taking a dip', 'After that', and 'On the other hand' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data chronologically. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information. While referencing is generally clear, the progression within the paragraphs could be slightly smoother. Overall, the organizational structure meets the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, employing terms such as 'illustrates', 'fluctuations', 'outstripping', and 'significantly'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary and phraseology, though some word choices are awkward or inaccurate, such as 'finished on top' and 'showed a steady rose' (instead of 'rise'). Spelling is accurate, and lexical errors do not impede communication, allowing the reader to easily follow the report. The vocabulary range is sufficient for some flexibility and precision, fitting the Band 6.5 profile well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which was the highest in the figure'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing choices, such as 'Units are measured in numbers' (which is redundant), 'steady rose' instead of 'steady rise', and minor punctuation oversights. However, these errors do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear throughout the response. The control of grammar is generally adequate for a Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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