Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
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 at 8,500 in 2011 and then experienced a dramatic decline to 4,000 in the year 2012. In next two years showed a gradual rise and reported around 6,200 shops in 2014. In 2015, 4,000 new shops were recorded and remained unchanged 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. 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 | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview of the main trends and making relevant comparisons between shop openings and closures. Key features, such as the initial higher number of openings in 2011 compared to closures and the eventual reversal by 2018, are highlighted. However, there are some minor data inaccuracies in the body paragraphs. For instance, the student states that roughly 700 shops were reported closed in 2015, whereas the graph indicates around 600. Despite these minor discrepancies, the response presents a clear and generally accurate summary of the visual data, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall arrangement with a logical progression of ideas. It starts with an introduction, followed by an overview paragraph, and then detailed body paragraphs splitting the trends for openings and closures. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'In addition'. However, paragraphing and referencing can occasionally feel somewhat mechanical or repetitive in structure. For instance, sentences frequently start with time markers or direct subjects like 'The number of shops that was...'. Nevertheless, the progression of information remains easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully attempting less common items and descriptive verbs such as 'fluctuated', 'dramatic decline', 'gradual rise', and 'sudden spike'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'how many shops were closed and opened in a nation' instead of 'country', and awkward phrasing like 'In next two years showed a gradual rise'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lexical control occasionally slips when attempting more complex phrases.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with varying degrees of success. Examples of complex structures include 'The line graph illustrates how many shops were closed and opened...' and 'while the number of shops closed fluctuated throughout the period'. However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward passive constructions, such as 'The number of shops that was opened recorded at 8,500' (missing auxiliary/verb) and 'a dramatic decline were observed' (subject-verb agreement error). These errors do not impede communication but occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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