Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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)

This graph illustrates the data on how many shops were closed and the number of new shops opened in a country between 2011 and 2018.

The data shows that the number of shops being closed in 2011 is gradually increased and decreased up to 2018; there was a huge decline in 2015, but later on it skyrocketed the next year again, reaching up to 5,100 shops in 2018.

The data also shows up the trend in shops getting opened, in comparison from 2011 the shops that were opened were 8500 which seems to be the higher data that was recorded; and got decreased to 3000 in 2018. In the year of 2015 and 2016 the number of shops were the same.

Overall, if we compare the data on the shops that were closed and were opened, there was a difference of 2100 shops in the end year, which is 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify both series and include several relevant figures, including the opening peak of 8,500 in 2011 and the fall to 3,000 in 2018. However, the response only partially reports the main features: it does not clearly describe the overall fluctuations or compare the two series across the period. The statement that closures “gradually increased and decreased” is too vague and does not reflect the sharp fall to about 600 in 2015, followed by a recovery. The final comparison is also inaccurate: in 2018 closures were about 5,200 and openings 3,000, a difference of roughly 2,200, rather than 2,100. A clearer overview and more precise selection of key changes would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a coherent basic arrangement: it introduces the graph, discusses closures, then openings, and ends with a comparison. This gives the reader a recognisable progression, and phrases such as “The data also shows” help signal a shift between series. However, the overview is placed at the end and mainly repeats the final-year difference rather than summarising the most important trends. Some links are mechanical, and the long sentence about openings combines several points with a semicolon and “and” without a clear relationship between them. Grouping the main trends into a concise overview followed by focused details, and using clearer links between comparisons, would strengthen the progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the subject, including “shops,” “closed,” “opened,” “decline,” and “difference.” There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “skyrocketed.” However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural for a data summary: “gradually increased and decreased” does not describe the sharp movements, “higher data” is not an appropriate collocation, and “shows up the trend” is awkward. Repetition of “the data shows” also limits flexibility. Choose precise verbs for chart movements and use standard expressions such as “the figure,” “the number,” “rose,” and “fell.” This would make the account clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple statements and attempts at longer, linked sentences, so there is some variety. Meaning is generally understandable, but errors in tense, agreement, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “the number … in 2011 is gradually increased” mixes an incorrect verb form with an unsuitable tense; “the shops that were opened were 8500 which seems” shifts from plural to singular agreement; and “In the year of 2015 and 2016 the number of shops were the same” has a subject–verb agreement problem. The sentence beginning “The data also shows up the trend” is also awkwardly constructed. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and check that each verb agrees with its subject, especially in longer sentences.

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