Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-05

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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates that the number of store that closed and the number of new store that opened in a country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the dotted line shows in the highest number of shop opened in the starting year,it decreases over the period. Whereas, the number of shops decreased at the starting and increased along the time.

In 2011, the 8800 shops was opened in one country and sharply declined 4000 in 2012. Add then gradually increased 6100 approximatly in 2014. After that it decreased and then reamained stable till 2017 and again decreased 3000 shops was opened in 2018.

The number of shops was flunctuated 6300 to 6400 from 2011 to 2015 and then sharply declined less than 1000 shops which was clearly shown in figure. After it increased 5100 shops was closed in 2016 and then remained stable in the last year 2018. The number of shops was closed at higher number as compared to

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify both series and give an overview of their broad patterns, including the high opening figure at the start and the sharp fall in closures in 2015. However, the overview is not fully accurate: closures do not simply increase over time, as they fluctuate and finish below their 2011 level. Some details are also unclear or incorrect. For example, openings rose to about 6,200 in 2014, rather than 6,100, and then fell to 4,000 in 2015; the claim that they remained stable until 2017 overlooks the rise to about 4,200. The final comparison is unfinished. Select the main turning points accurately and complete the comparison to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of openings and closures. This helps the reader recognise which series is being discussed. However, progression is uneven, and some linking is mechanical or unclear. For instance, “Add then” and “After it” do not connect the stages naturally, while the overview’s “Whereas” creates an incomplete contrast. The final sentence also stops at “as compared to,” leaving the comparison unfinished and weakening the ending. Use clear paragraphing and organise each series chronologically, with transitions such as “subsequently” and “by contrast” only where they express the relationship accurately.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “sharply declined,” “remained stable,” and “fluctuated,” so the reader can understand the general trends. However, the range is limited and several noticeable word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors make parts less clear. “The number of store” and “new store” need plural forms, while “the dotted line shows in the highest number” is an awkward way to describe a peak. There are also misspellings such as “approximatly,” “reamained,” and “flunctuated.” Aim for precise chart language and check spelling: for example, describe a series as “reached a peak” or “fell to a low,” and use “shop openings” and “shop closures” consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “Whereas” and time clauses such as “After that.” However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and tense make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “the number of store that closed,” “the 8800 shops was opened,” and “the number of shops was flunctuated.” The overview’s “Whereas” is not attached to a complete main clause, and the final sentence is incomplete. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check singular/plural agreement and past-tense forms when describing the graph.

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