Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-22

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 6.5)

The line graph compares the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of shop closures and openings both decreased over the period, but closures were higher than openings in most years, except in 2011 and 2015. Both figures fluctuated significantly.

In 2011, about 8,500 new shops opened, which was higher than the number of closures at around 6,200.

However, the number of openings fell sharply to about 3,800 in 2012, while closures also dropped to around 5,800. Between 2012 and 2014, openings increased steadily from 3,800 to about 6,000, while closures rose to a peak of 7,000 in 2013 before falling to around 6,300 in 2014.

In 2014, both figures were almost equal at about 6,000.In 2015, the number of shop closures dropped dramatically to just over 500, the lowest figure in the period, while openings remained at around 3,700. After that, closures increased sharply to about 4,800 in 2016 and then remained stable at around 4,500 to 4,700 until 2018. The number of openings remained relatively flat at around 3,500-3,700 from 2015 to 2017, before falling to about 2,400 in 2018, the lowest number of openings.

To sum up, shop openings started high but ended low, while closures fluctuated and were higher than openings in the second half of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and reporting the main trends and key features of the graph. The overview correctly notes the general downward trend for both metrics and identifies the relative positions of the lines. Key data points, such as the peak in closures in 2013 and the low points in 2015 and 2018, are accurately selected and compared. There are minor reading approximations of the exact values from the chart (for instance, reading the 2015 drop as around 500 when it is close to 600, or the 2011 figures), but these fall well within the permitted ±half a gridline tolerance and do not detract from the clear and accurate reporting of the overall data. All parts of the prompt are successfully met, warranting a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear progression throughout. It begins with an introductory sentence, followed by an overarching summary paragraph, body paragraphs detailing the chronological progression of the data, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Between 2012 and 2014', and 'After that' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically, separating the overall trends from the specific chronological details. Referencing is generally clear, and although there is a minor punctuation slip where a period was omitted before 'In 2015', the overall logical flow and cohesion easily meet the requirements for Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with adequate flexibility and precision for Task 1. Appropriate lexical items related to graphical data are used effectively, including verbs and nouns such as 'fluctuated significantly', 'fell sharply', 'increased steadily', and 'peak'. Less common phrases like 'the lowest figure in the period' and 'remained relatively flat' show a good awareness of style and collocation. Word choice is generally accurate, and although some minor inaccuracies occur in the precise interpretation of numerical values, vocabulary does not impede communication. The lexical range comfortably aligns with the Band 7.0 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer employs a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, utilizing subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'while closures were higher than openings in most years, except in 2011 and 2015' and 'which was higher than the number of closures'). There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good control of grammar and past tense verb forms. Minor punctuation slips occur, such as a missing space and terminal punctuation issue between sentences ('about 6,000.In 2015'), but these are isolated and do not impede communication. The structural variety and overall grammatical accuracy support a Band 7.0 rating.

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