Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-18

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 illustrates the number of shops that were closed and opened in one nation during a period of seven-years.

Overall, the trend for both types fluctuated throughout the given time. The number of shops that were closed hit their lowest value in 2015 while the minimum number of shops that were opened in 2018. On the other hand, both types have highest number in 2011.

Starting with number of shops that were closed, their numbers initially stood at approximately 6200 in 2011, before witnessing a gradual increase to above 7000 in 2013. This was followed by a period of sharp decline with the figures eventually reaching below 1000 in 2015. A rapid increase was seen again next year to around 5000 consequently ending the period at this numbers.

Turning to number of shops that were opened, their figures began at over 8000, after which it fell considerably to 4000 next year. Despite intermediate rise, the figures declined back to 4000 in 2015 followed by a steady phase until 2017. In 2018, the numbers were decreased to 3000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the main movements and gives a clear overview, including the sharp low point for closures in 2015 and the lowest opening figure in 2018. Most reported values and trends match the graph: closures rise to a peak in 2013, then fall dramatically, while openings drop after 2011 and finish at about 3,000. However, the overview says both series had their highest figures in 2011, which is inaccurate: closures peak in 2013 at roughly 7,200. Some later details are also less fully reported; for example, closures fall slightly from 2016 to 2017 before edging up in 2018, rather than simply ending at the same level as the previous year. Correcting the overview and sharpening these comparisons would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised clearly into an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs, with a logical division between closures and openings. Sequencing is easy to follow, particularly in the closure account, where “initially,” “before,” and “This was followed by” guide the reader through the years. The transition “Turning to” also signals the shift to the second series effectively. Cohesive language is generally flexible, though a few links are imprecise: “consequently ending the period at this numbers” does not clearly connect the 2016 rise to the final value, and “Despite intermediate rise” leaves the specific movement vague. Make year-to-year comparisons explicit and use clear references to the figures to strengthen progression further.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

There is an adequate range of task-appropriate vocabulary, including “fluctuated,” “gradual increase,” “sharp decline,” and “steady phase,” which helps describe different movements rather than repeating basic verbs. Some less common choices are attempted, but a few are inaccurate or awkward in context. “Witnessing a gradual increase” is an unnatural collocation for figures, while “the figures were decreased” uses an unsuitable expression for a downward movement. “This numbers” is also an imprecise phrase, and “intermediate rise” is less natural than a direct description of the increase. These choices do not prevent understanding, but more precise collocations and consistent use of terms such as “number,” “figure,” and “total” would improve fluency and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including time clauses and participial structures such as “before witnessing…” and “after which it fell…”. Most sentences communicate the intended trend clearly. Some grammatical errors remain, however: “a period of seven-years” has an incorrect plural construction, “both types have highest number” is missing an article and has an inconsistent tense, and “the figures were decreased” uses an incorrect passive form for this meaning. There are also agreement and reference problems in “ending the period at this numbers.” Review articles, singular/plural agreement, and active verb forms when describing chart movements. Greater accuracy in these areas, alongside the existing sentence variety, would strengthen the response.

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