Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-20

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 presents the how many shops are closed and how many shops are newly opened in one nation from 2011 to 2018

Overall, in the inital period high proportion of shops were opened which was new while old shops proportion was less . In the final two data of newly opened shop was surpassed by the data of old shops .

In the 2011, newly opened shops were opened and these number was recorded at about 8500 while 6500 old shops were shut downed . Recently opened shop number was reduced in 2012 and there data witnessed fluctuation from 2012 to 2014 . Number of old shops which were closed rasied and reached its peak value at 7000 but this number dramtically decreased till 2015 . which recorded at 500.

In 2015 , number newly opened shops remain steady till 2017 and then it was reduced in 2018 accounted at 3000 . Old shops which were locked there data also displayed constant rate and in final year it recorded at the 5000

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by summarizing the main trends in shop openings and closures between 2011 and 2018. An overview is provided, noting that openings were initially higher before being surpassed by closures. Key data points are selected, such as the initial opening figure of approximately 8,500 and the low closure figure in 2015. However, there are notable inaccuracies in reporting the data when compared to the visual reference. For instance, the student states that the 2015 closure figure was recorded at 500, whereas the correct figure is around 600, and mentions a peak of 7,000 for closures in 2013 when the actual figure is approximately 7,200. Furthermore, some sentences lack clarity regarding which data series is being referenced. Consequently, the response addresses the task only partially, corresponding to a band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. However, logical progression is frequently hindered by awkward phrasing, abrupt shifts, and poor referencing. For example, expressions like 'there data witnessed fluctuation' and 'Old shops which were locked there data also displayed constant rate' create confusion regarding what is being discussed. Cohesive devices are minimal, and referencing pronouns are frequently misused or omitted entirely. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is faulty and repetitive, lacking smooth transitions between the different years and trends. This level of organization reflects the characteristics of a band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive throughout the essay. The student frequently relies on simple words like 'shops', 'opened', 'closed', and 'number', often with awkward repetitions in close proximity. There are noticeable lexical errors and inappropriate word choices, such as 'shut downed' instead of 'shut down', 'rasied' instead of 'rose', and 'locked' instead of 'closed'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are minimal and generally inaccurate. The range of vocabulary is limited and minimally adequate for the task, causing some difficulty for the reader due to awkward phrasing and word formation issues, which aligns with a band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The student demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at complex or passive structures are frequently faulty, such as in the opening sentence: 'the line graph presents the how many shops are closed and how many shops are newly opened'. Punctuation and capitalization are neglected, with missing capital letters at the beginning of sentences and missing full stops. Frequent grammatical errors—including tense inconsistencies, missing prepositions, and incorrect subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'data of newly opened shop was surpassed', 'number newly opened shops remain steady')—cause considerable strain for the reader. This performance sits firmly at band 4.

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