Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-28
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 the proportion of shop closures and new shop opening in a particular country from 2011 to 2018.
Overall,the number of new shoppings ffollowed a clear downtrend all over the period .,althrough closures experienced dramatic collab decline in 2015.Its clear that the number of shop closures and opening varied greatly over the eight year period ,with no consistent pattern of one being higher than the other throughout.
In 2011,there were approximately 8500 new shop opening, much higher than the around 6300 closures.However ,in 2012 ,the number of opening dropped significantly to about 4000,while closures decreased significantly to around 6000.
From 2013 to 2014 ,closures increased to over 7000 and then declined to around 6500 closures,while openind grow steadly from 5000 to 6100.In 2015, new closures sharply fall to only 600 and openings decreased to about 4000.
After 2015,closures sharply rose to over 5000 and openings relatively stable around at 4000 from 2015 to 2017,before fallinf approximately 3000 in 2018 .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and specific data points. However, there are inaccuracies in the reporting of data, such as the claim that closures 'sharply fall to only 600' in 2015, which does not align with the provided graph. Additionally, the overview is slightly confusing due to contradictory statements about the trends. While the key features are identified, the lack of precision in data reporting and the misinterpretation of certain years prevent this from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure that data points are read carefully and that the overview clearly summarizes the most significant trends without conflicting information.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as the awkward phrasing 'Its clear that' and the inconsistent use of punctuation. The progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by these errors, making the flow feel disjointed. While there is a logical attempt to group information by year, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the frequent punctuation errors mean that cohesion is not always managed effectively. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring consistent paragraph structure will enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is adequate for the task, but there are frequent errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'shoppings', 'collab', 'openind', and 'fallinf'. These errors are noticeable and occasionally distract the reader, although they do not fully impede communication. The student attempts to use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'downtrend' and 'closures', but the lack of precision and the repeated spelling mistakes limit the score. To achieve a higher band, the student should focus on accurate spelling and using more precise collocations related to data description, such as 'fluctuated' or 'remained stable'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'new closures sharply fall'), missing articles, and poor punctuation, such as the lack of spaces after commas and periods. These errors are persistent and sometimes make the text difficult to read. While the student attempts to use complex structures, the high frequency of basic grammatical slips prevents the writing from being considered accurate. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and basic sentence punctuation would significantly improve the clarity and quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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