Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30
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 graph illustrates the number of shops that closed and the number of newly opened shops in a country between 2011 and 2018.
Overall, shop closure and openings both decreased over time. Most of the shops closed in 2012. However, the figure for new shops suffered a major decline in 2015.
There were more than 6,000 newly opened shops in 2011 and the next year this number remained at 6,000. In 2013, the figure crossed 7,000. New openings reduced to 6,500 in 2014 and then declining drastically to 500 in 2015. Next, this number recovered to just above 5,000 in 2016 and remained around 5000 for next two years 2017 and 2018.
8,500 closures took place in 2011, but this number fell below 4,000 in 2012. Increment to 5,000 and 6,100 was observed in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Though the figure fell back to 4,000 in 2015 and remained constant for next year. After a slight increase in the figure, number of closing shops decreased to 3,000 in 2018.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main trends in the graph, such as the overall movement in shop closures and openings. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. For instance, the student states that 'Most of the shops closed in 2012' and that 'the figure for new openings reduced to 6,500 in 2014 and then declining drastically to 500 in 2015', whereas the actual visual data shows closures peaking at 7,200 in 2013 and openings dropping to around 4,000 in 2015 (while closures dropped to around 600). Furthermore, the student confuses the two data series in the body paragraphs, mixing up closures and openings. These misreadings mean the key features are not accurately reported. Band 5 is appropriate as the response addresses the task only partially due to unreliable data reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is divided into four paragraphs, following a logical layout with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'In 2013'. However, paragraphing and logical progression are undermined by the confusion in data handling, where the student mixes up the two distinct categories of closures and openings across paragraphs. Referencing is sometimes unclear because it is difficult to determine which data series a sentence refers to. Nevertheless, there is a clear overall structure and a discernible attempt to sequence information chronologically. Band 6 reflects this coherent overall arrangement despite faulty cohesive management and referencing.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with attempts to use descriptive verbs and nouns such as 'declining drastically', 'recovered', and 'constant'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and data reporting terminology, such as 'number of closing shops' and general imprecision when discussing statistical trends. Some phrases are repetitive or lack natural collocation. While the range is sufficient to communicate basic ideas about the chart, the frequent errors in data interpretation heavily impact lexical precision regarding the visual information. Band 5 is awarded as the vocabulary range is limited and contains noticeable errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses of time and contrast such as 'Though the figure fell back to 4,000 in 2015 and remained constant for next year.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'then declining drastically' (tense inconsistency) and 'for next two years 2017 and 2018' (missing articles). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and errors do not completely impede overall communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent the text from reaching a higher band. Band 6 is appropriate for a mix of simple and complex structures with some persistent errors that rarely impede understanding.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.