Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-06

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 below displays the number of shop closures and openings in a country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of shops that closed increased while the number of shops that opened decreased between 2011 and 2018. However, the number of shop closures experienced a massive dip in 2015 while the number of shop openings increased in 2014.

In 2011, approximately 6,200 shops closed. This number then increased to just above 7,000 in 2013 and was highest number recorded. The number of shop closures dropped to almost 6,500 in 2014 before experiencing a significant drop to approximately 500. In 2016, the number rose to almost 5,100 steadily. From 2016 to 2018, the number hovered between 5,000 and almost 5,100.

The number of shop openings in 2011 was almost 8,500 which was the highest number. It then dropped to slightly below 4,000 before rising again. The number of shop openings were almost 6,100 in 2014. This number then declined to 4,000 in 2015 and remained the stagnant in 2016. It rose slightly in 2017 before decreasing again in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You successfully cover all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and making appropriate comparisons between shop closures and openings over the period. Your overall summary correctly notes that closures generally increased while openings decreased. However, some areas are under-developed or inaccurately described. For instance, your statement that closures 'increased while the number of shops that opened decreased between 2011 and 2018' over-generalises, as closures actually fluctuated rather than showing a steady upward trend overall. Furthermore, you misread some specific data points, such as stating that closures dropped to 'approximately 500' in 2015 when the graph shows around 600, and you missed the starting figure for closures in 2011 correctly. To reach a higher band, you need to ensure greater accuracy in reporting specific data and provide a more nuanced overview of the fluctuations rather than broad generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

Your response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression of ideas. You make good use of paragraphing, separating the introduction, the overall trend, closures, and openings into distinct sections. Cohesive devices are employed to connect your sentences, such as 'This number then increased' and 'From 2016 to 2018', which helps guide the reader through the data. However, referencing is occasionally mechanical or slightly repetitive, and cohesive devices are sometimes over-reliant on simple sequential transitions. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate a wider variety of advanced cohesive devices and ensure that referencing between sentences is entirely seamless and natural throughout the entire text.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You display an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and functional phrases such as 'massively dip', 'significant drop', and 'hovered between'. Your word choices are generally clear and allow communication without strain, though occasional inaccuracies in word choice or phrasing occur, such as describing the stagnant period with the grammar error 'remained the stagnant'. Spelling and word-form control are generally good. To move into a higher lexical band, you need to demonstrate a wider and more flexible range of vocabulary with more precise collocations and fewer minor inaccuracies when attempting sophisticated descriptive terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You demonstrate good control over your grammar, featuring a successful mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your use of past tense verbs to describe historical data is generally accurate, seen in sentences like 'In 2011, approximately 6,200 shops closed.' There is a good frequency of error-free sentences, and punctuation is well managed. However, a few minor errors persist, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The number of shop openings were almost 6,100') and an unnecessary article ('remained the stagnant'). To reach the highest bands, you would need an even wider variety of complex structures deployed with consistently faultless accuracy across all sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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