Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-14

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 shown graph represents the number of shops that closed and the number of shops rhat opened along a series of seven years. The graph consists of a dotted line which represents the number of shops closed and a straight line that represents the newly opened shops.

It is observed that the number of shops that opened were around the same at the start and at the end of the years. A reducing trend is observed for the number of closed shops.

The number of closed shops and the number of opened shops were almost the same during the middle of this time range. But after that, it is observed that the number of closed shops have drastically reduced. This is also the same time when the difference between the number of closed and opened shops was the highest.

In conclusion, it is observed that more shops were closing as compared to opening at the start.But towards the rhe end of the time range, more shops were opening as compared to closing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the two series and offers an overview, but it does not report the graph’s main features accurately enough. In particular, the claim that shop closures show “a reducing trend” misses their sharp rise in 2013 and the dramatic fall to about 600 in 2015, followed by recovery. The conclusion also reverses the comparison: openings exceeded closures in 2011, while closures were higher in 2017 and 2018. The statement that the figures were “almost the same during the middle” is too vague to show which years or values are meant. To improve, give a clear, accurate overview and support it with selected figures and comparisons across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, further comparisons and a concluding sentence. Ideas are generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “But after that” signal a change. However, the progression is weakened by repetition of the same broad comparisons and by unclear references such as “This is also the same time,” which does not specify a year. The conclusion repeats the overview rather than adding a useful summary, and its comparison conflicts with the earlier account. Organise the body around the main changes over time, using explicit year references and linking phrases that clarify how the two series compare.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for describing a graph, with relevant terms such as “dotted line,” “drastically reduced” and “difference.” However, some choices are imprecise or repetitive: “along a series of seven years” is not a natural way to describe the period, and “the same at the start and at the end” does not clearly explain whether the figures are similar. “Closed shops” and “opened shops” are repeated where more varied forms would help. There are also spelling slips, including “rhat” and “rhe.” Use accurate trend language and collocations, such as “over the eight-year period,” “fell sharply,” and “the figures were similar,” while checking spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and more complex forms, including “It is observed that…” and a sentence beginning “But after that,” and the main meaning is usually clear. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “the number of shops that opened were” has subject–verb disagreement; “the number of closed shops have” should use a singular verb; and “at the start.But” needs a space after the full stop. The opening sentence also has an awkward construction, “along a series of seven years.” Aim for accurate agreement with singular subjects such as “the number,” and proofread sentence boundaries and punctuation. More varied, controlled sentence structures would make the comparisons clearer.

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