Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-19

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 graph illustrates the number of shop closures and openings in one country from 2011 to 2018. Overall, it is readily apparent that the highest number of shop opened in 2013 while the lowest number was in 2015. Meanwhile, the highest number of shops closed in the begining of the period and the lowest number was in the end of the period.

In 2011, the figure for opened shops was approximately 6400 and then in 2012 to 2014 there seemed some fluctuations. Moreover, the number of opened shops dropped dramatically in 2015 while in the next year itexperienced a considerable growth. From 2016 to 2018 the number fluctuated slightly.

In 2011, the number of shop closures was at its peak at around 8500 and nextb

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the graph by identifying some main features, such as the highest and lowest points for both openings and closures. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. For instance, the student states that the highest number of shop closures was at the beginning and the lowest at the end, whereas the graph shows closures peaked in 2013 at around 7,200 and hit a low in 2015 at 600. Furthermore, the response is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence at 'and nextb', which directly impacts the coverage of the task. Because the response is under the 150-word minimum (containing only 125 words) and contains severe data misreadings, it falls into Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organised into distinct paragraphs, starting with an introduction and an overview, followed by body paragraphs. However, the progression is disrupted because the response ends abruptly in the middle of a sentence due to the writing being unfinished. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Meanwhile', and 'In 2011' are used to structure the text, but referencing and logical sequencing are hindered by the missing conclusion and incomplete body details. Paragraphing is attempted appropriately, but the lack of completion prevents a fully coherent overall arrangement, placing this criterion at Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for describing simple trends, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'dropped dramatically', and 'considerable growth'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors, such as 'opened' instead of 'open', 'begining', 'itexperienced', and typos like 'nextb'. Word choices are sometimes imprecise or confused with the data provided. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey basic concepts related to the graph, the frequency of spelling and word-form errors restricts the score to Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Overall, it is readily apparent that the highest number of shop opened in 2013...' and 'From 2016 to 2018 the number fluctuated slightly.' There are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('number of shop opened') and missing spacing ('in the begining', 'itexperienced'). Additionally, the grammar of the final sentence is incomplete because the text cuts off. The range of structures is limited and frequent mechanical errors cause some distraction, leading to a score of Band 5.

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