Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-16

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 graphs depicts the data regarding the open and closure of shops in one country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of shops opened and closed in a country in 2018 dropped in comparison to their value in 2011.

In 2011, there were around 6400 new shops opened. There amount fluctuated in the two to three years before a dramatic decrease in 2015 to under 1000 shops. After that, it rose sharply in 2016 and ended on around 5200. Then it remained almost constant till the end of 2018.

On the other hand, the number of shops closed in 2011 was above 8000, which declined sharply in the next year to half. After that, there was a steep rise in next two years ending on arounf 6000 in 2014 before decreasing sharply to 4000 in the next year. Then, this number hovered around the 4000 shops for next 2 yeas and ended on about 3000 shops in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response attempts to describe both series and includes a broad overview that values were lower by 2018, but the account contains major inaccuracies that make the key features unreliable. The figures for openings and closures are repeatedly reversed: for example, 2011 openings were about 8,500, not 6,400, while closures were about 6,400, not above 8,000. The 2015 closure figure is also reported as around 4,000, although it fell to roughly 600; the 4,000 figure belongs to openings. As a result, the overview and comparisons do not accurately summarise the graph. To improve, identify each line correctly, then select and report its main changes and the notable 2015 low without confusing the series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by separate paragraphs describing the two series. Time markers such as “In 2011,” “After that,” and “Then” help the reader follow the sequence. However, the progression is weakened by unclear references, particularly “There amount,” and by repeated transitions that make the account read as a list of year-by-year changes. The phrase “On the other hand” signals a contrast, but the series are not consistently identified, which also makes the comparison difficult to follow. Use precise labels such as “shop openings” and “closures” throughout, and group related movements into clearer stages rather than relying mainly on sequential connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for describing a line graph, and expressions such as “fluctuated,” “dramatic decrease,” “rose sharply,” and “remained almost constant” show some range in describing movement. However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward, including “the open and closure of shops,” “their value,” and “ended on.” Spelling slips such as “arounf” and “yeas” also reduce accuracy. Some trend language is repeated, and the response could use more precise terms for peaks, falls, and stability. Build a small set of accurate graph-description collocations and check spelling and word forms before submitting; this would make the account clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, including the time clauses in “After that, it rose sharply in 2016” and “before decreasing sharply to 4000.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors are noticeable. The opening sentence has subject–verb disagreement (“The graphs depicts”), and “There amount fluctuated” has an incorrect determiner and unclear reference. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or awkward, as in “in next two years” and “for next 2 yeas.” Check agreement, article use, and complete noun phrases, while retaining the varied sentence patterns you already attempt.

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