Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-17

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 number of shops which are recently open and closed in one country over seven years from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, we can see the sharp fluctuation in shops that were closed over seven years whereas,in newly open shops rapid decline can be seen.

firstly, in 2011,more than 6000 shops were closed.following in 2013, 7000 shops and in year 2014 ,6500 shops got their closures. However, sharp fall in 2015 with less than 1000 shops were closed. and at last in year 2018, 5000 shops got closed.

Secondly, shops that were open between 2011 to 2018 can seem with some dramatic change in year 2011 more than 8000 shop were open and e can see in 2012 only 4000 shops were open with sharp fall. Moreover, in years 2015, 2016 and 2017 the rate of openings got constants. And at least in year 2018 only 3000 shops were opened.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the prompt by summarising the main features of the line graph showing shop closures and openings between 2011 and 2018. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, though it contains inaccuracies regarding the trends (e.g., claiming a rapid decline in newly open shops while the line actually fluctuates and ends lower, and stating closures had a sharp fluctuation while closures actually rose to a peak in 2013 and plummeted to an anomalous 600 in 2015). Some figures are cited correctly, such as the 2011 starting point for closures and openings, but there are significant errors in data reading, notably missing the dramatic drop to 600 closures in 2015 and misinterpreting it as 'less than 1000 shops were closed'. The response addresses the task partially and lacks accurate data reporting for key features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. However, logical progression is hindered by poor paragraphing choices and transitional errors (such as starting paragraphs with 'firstly,' and 'Secondly,'). The second paragraph attempts an overview but confuses the overall trajectory. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes incorrectly, such as 'following in 2013,' and 'at last in year 2018'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and punctuation errors break the flow of ideas, resulting in a disjointed structure that impacts readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'shops', 'closed', 'open', and 'year'. There are frequent awkward word choices and collocation errors, such as 'shops which are recently open', 'got their closures', and 'the rate of openings got constants'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are generally inaccurate. Spelling and word formation errors, such as missing spaces and incorrect verb forms ('can seem', 'shop were open', 'e can see'), further restrict the lexical range to a minimally adequate level for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The writing demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying on simple sentences with frequent structural errors. There are numerous grammatical mistakes throughout the response, including subject-verb agreement issues ('shops which are recently open', 'shop were open'), incorrect verb tenses, and fragment sentences ('However, sharp fall in 2015 with less than 1000 shops were closed.'). Punctuation and capitalization are poorly handled, with missing spaces after commas and periods. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and impede clear communication.

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