Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-25

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 provided line graph illustrates the number of shops that closed and the number of newly opened shops in a country from 2011 to 2018. Overall, the figures for closed shops fluctuated over the 7 years, with a drastic decline in 2015; on the other hand, the numbers for new shops saw a significant decrease from 2011 to 2018.

In 2011, the newly operating marts were at their peak, with figures of around 8500, and fell dramatically to just 4000 shops in 2012. These numbers rose again and reached just over 6000 shops in 2014; however, there was again a trend of slight decrease, and it finished at 3000 shops in 2018.

In 2011, the number of non-working shops was approximately 6500, followed by a minimal decrease, and then it attained its peak of over 7000 shops in 2013, but then it declined and reached its lowest number of about 800 shops in 2015; then again it soared up to around 5000 shops and remained at a plateau till 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons between shop openings and closures from 2011 to 2018. An overview is provided in the first paragraph, outlining the overall trends of fluctuation for closures and a significant decrease for openings. Key data points, such as the peak of openings in 2011 at around 8500 and the drastic drop in closures in 2015 to around 800, are accurately selected and reported. However, there is a minor data misinterpretation for the 2015 closure figure, which actually dropped sharply to around 600 rather than 800, though this is a minor deviation. Overall, the response is well-developed and meets the requirements of the prompt effectively, earning a solid band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to shop openings and closures respectively. Information and ideas progress logically throughout the text. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'on the other hand', 'In 2011', and 'however'. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, dividing the overview from the distinct data categories. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph transitions could be slightly smoother. The overall arrangement is coherent, satisfying the requirements for a band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task 1 response, utilizing terms such as 'fluctuated', 'drastic decline', 'significant decrease', and 'plateau'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary items like 'newly operating marts' and 'non-working shops', although some collocations are slightly unnatural. Minor word choice and spelling errors do not impede communication. With a slightly broader and more precise range of lexical items, a higher band could be achieved, but the current output fits the band 6 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and conjunctions effectively (e.g., 'while the numbers for new shops saw a significant decrease...', 'These numbers rose again and reached...'). There is good control of past tense verbs necessary for describing historical data. While minor grammatical errors or slightly awkward phrasing appear occasionally, such as 'then again it soared up', they do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, supporting readability throughout the response.

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