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 illustrate how many shops are close, and number of shops that newly open in one country from 2011 to 2018. Allover, the graph of newly open shops is decline after some rise and fall. Same as close shops graph also at low position but camper to other it is less.

The graph of new shops is above 8000 which dramatically decrease and come on half of the number from beginning. For next two year it go upward slowly then again fluctuate and come back at 4000 in 2015. It become stable for next two year at 4000 but in next one year it again decline and reach at 3000 in end of 2018.

On the other hand closed shops graph starat above 6000 and fluctuate for four year and come back at same stage where it start. In next year in 2015 it face sudden decrease below 1000 while next year it jump upward and reach at 5000. For next two year it's being stable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, outlining the general trends for both shop openings and closures over the period from 2011 to 2018. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting specific data points, such as stating that closures fell 'below 1000' in 2015 when the graph shows approximately 600, though this is roughly aligned. More importantly, the overview is somewhat confused, and the selection of features could be more precise. The student attempts to make comparisons ('camper to other it is less'), but the overall progression of the data lacks complete clarity. It addresses all parts of the task at a Band 5.5 to 6.0 level, but due to inaccuracies in data reporting and a weak overview, it best fits a Band 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is divided into paragraphs, starting with an introduction followed by body paragraphs for new shops and closed shops respectively. However, the logical progression within and between paragraphs is disrupted by poor transitions and awkward phrasing. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate ('Allover', 'Same as close shops graph also at low position'). Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult to follow the progression of ideas. Although an overall organizational structure is attempted, the mechanical and faulty use of cohesion places this criterion firmly at Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is quite basic and repetitive ('graph', 'shops', 'number', 'stable', 'decline'). There are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'camper to other' (compared to others), 'starat' (started), and grammatical forms functioning as vocabulary ('newly open' instead of 'new openings'). The student attempts less common vocabulary like 'dramatically decrease' and 'fluctuate', but accuracy is lacking. The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task, resulting in a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences or faulty complex attempts. There are frequent and systematic errors in tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and word formation (e.g., 'The line graph illustrate', 'shops are close', 'For next two year it go upward', 'It become stable for next two year'). Punctuation is also problematic in places. These persistent errors cause noticeable difficulty for the reader and restrict the grammatical score to Band 4.5.

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