Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-28
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 how many shops were closed and opened in a nation during the period from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, the number of shops opened experienced a general decline, while the number of shops closed fluctuated throughout the period. In 2011, the number of shops opened was higher than that of shops closed. However, by the end of 2018 their positions were reversed.
The number of shops that was opened recorded 8,500 in 2011 and then experienced a dramatic decline to 4,000 in the year 2012. In next two years showed a gradual rose and reported around 6,200 shops in 2014. In 2015, 4,000 new shops were recorded and plateaued until 2017, finally finished at 3,000 shops by the end of 2018.
In contrast, the number of shops that was closed fluctuated significantly, in 2011 it recorded around 6,400 shops and then followed an uneven pattern and accounted to 6,500 in 2014. In between 2014 and 2015, a dramatic decline were observed and roughly 700 shops were reported in 2015 and then showed a sudden spike to 5,200 shops in the year 2016. In addition, it altered minutely and finally recorded 5,200 shops by the end of 2018.
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 candidate presents a clear overview of the main trends, noting that openings experienced a general decline while closures fluctuated, and correctly identifies the crossover point where positions reversed between 2011 and 2018. Key features and data points are selected and reported appropriately, such as the initial 8,500 openings in 2011 and the ending figures. However, there are minor factual misreadings of the graph, particularly regarding the year 2015 for shop closures where the student states roughly 700 shops were reported (whereas the graph shows approximately 600) and minor confusions with intermediate data points. Despite these minor inaccuracies, all parts of the task are addressed with relevant comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, provides a concise overview, and then separates the details for shop openings and shop closures into dedicated paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'and then', and 'finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, referencing and cohesive links within sentences occasionally feel slightly mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'and then' to link sequential data points.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, incorporating terms such as 'fluctuated', 'dramatic decline', 'gradual rose' (though grammatically flawed), 'plateaued', and 'sudden spike'. There are some word choice and collocation errors, such as 'gradual rose' instead of 'gradual rise' and 'altered minutely', but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted, demonstrating an awareness of appropriate reporting language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions like 'the number of shops that was opened'. Control of grammar is generally decent, but there are several noticeable errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('In next two years showed a gradual rose'), awkward passive phrasing ('shops that was closed'), and tense inconsistencies. Punctuation is mostly sound, and while errors are present, they do not impede overall communication.
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