Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-30

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 6.0)

The line graph illustrates the number of shops closures and opening in one particular nation from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, it can be observed that both opining of new shops and closing of old one fluctuated over the period. The numbers were declined for both in the last year in comparision with initial year.

To begin with closures, around 6500 shops were shut down in 2011, which keeps fluctuating until 2016, hitting the highest over 7000 in 2013 and reaching its lowest of 500 in 2015. In 2016 the numbers gradually rose to more than 5000, while after 2016 the shutting down remains stable.

On the other hand, almost 8500 shops were established in 2011, whereas significantly decreased by more than half in 2012. There was instability throughout the years, making its lowest opening in 2018 which was exactly 3000 shops. In comparision, Numbers of operating new shops were higher during initial year, however closing wins in the end of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the two series and cover the full period, with relevant figures such as about 8,500 openings in 2011 and the low point of 3,000 in 2018. The overview also notes fluctuation and an overall decline by the final year. However, some key comparisons are unclear or inaccurate: closures did not reach their lowest point at 500 in 2015; the chart shows approximately 600. Also, the claim that closures “wins in the end” is not supported, since closures were about 5,200 against 3,000 openings in 2018, but the comparison is not clearly expressed. Develop the overview by highlighting the sharp 2015 fall in closures and the fact that openings were higher only in 2011 and 2015.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for closures and openings. Sequencing is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “On the other hand” help signal the shift between series. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent organisation and shows some stronger progression. However, connections within the data descriptions are occasionally awkward, and the final comparison is difficult to interpret: “closing wins in the end of the year” does not clearly state which figure is higher. Use more precise linking and refer explicitly to the years or series being compared. A concise concluding comparison would make the progression more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuated,” “significantly decreased,” “reaching its lowest,” and “remains stable.” These choices help communicate the main movements, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “shops closures,” “opining of new shops,” “shut down,” and “closing wins” do not consistently describe the chart in a precise, formal way. There are also spelling errors such as “comparision” and “opining.” Aim for accurate chart language and consistent terms such as “shop closures” and “shop openings,” using verbs like “fell,” “rose,” and “stood at” to report changes clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “which keeps fluctuating until 2016” and a contrast structure with “whereas.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “the numbers were declined” uses an incorrect passive form, while “the shutting down remains stable” has an inconsistent tense and an awkward subject construction. In “There was instability throughout the years, making its lowest opening,” the participle does not clearly connect to the subject. Check subject–verb agreement, tense consistency when describing past data, and sentence construction. More consistently accurate clauses would strengthen the range you are already attempting.

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