Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-22
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 how many shops closed and how many shops opened in particular country from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, it is evident that a shops which were opened in 2011 the highest in the chart then it decreased slightly over the period. closed shops were less then opening shops in 2011 but after that it was surpassed opening and considered the highest value in the chart in 2018.
in 2011, opened number of shops were topped in the chart with 8500 but after it decreased dramatically and reached around 4000 in 2012, after that it increased slightly and climbed approximately 5000 and then decreased from 1000 number in 2015, and then remain stable from 2015 to 2016 and after fell and reached 3000 at the end of 2018.
Moreover, around 6300 amount of shops were closed in 2011, and then declined around 300 number of shops in 2012, and after increased slightly and then dramatically fell and claimed
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to complete the task as it is incomplete; the final sentence trails off mid-thought ('and claimed'), leaving the description of the data unfinished. While you identify the main trends, the lack of completion significantly impacts the score. You have selected some key features, such as the starting and ending points, but the analysis is hindered by the incomplete nature of the report. To improve, ensure you have enough time to finish your summary and proofread the final sentences. You must report all relevant data points clearly to provide a comprehensive overview of the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the flow of ideas is frequently interrupted by grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'a shops which were opened'. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often mechanical or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'and then' to link clauses. The progression of information is sometimes unclear due to these structural issues. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words like 'subsequently', 'meanwhile', or 'in contrast' to create a more natural flow between sentences and paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is generally limited and repetitive. You rely on basic verbs like 'opened', 'closed', 'increased', and 'decreased'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'opened number of shops were topped' and '6300 amount of shops'. These errors occasionally make the meaning difficult to follow. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'a significant decline', and ensure you use nouns and verbs correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with articles ('a shops'), subject-verb agreement ('a shops which were opened... the highest'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are poorly constructed, which impedes readability. You rely mostly on simple sentence structures, and attempts at more complex sentences are often inaccurate. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of articles and pluralisation. Additionally, practice using complex structures like relative clauses or passive voice more accurately to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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