Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24
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 below compares the ratio of closed shops and the number of shops that opened in a country from 2011 to 2018.
Overall, the number of shops closing and new opening kept changing. However, the amount of new shops opening showed a significant decrease in between.
The number of shop closures was at peak in 2011, with almost 8500 shops closing. They decreased to 4000 in 2012 and then showed growth with 5000 and 6000 from 2013 to 2014 respectively. From there on the numbers decreased.
In 2011, almost 6200 shops opened which stayed almost the same till 2012. From there they increased 7000 shops in 2013. From 2014 to 2015, they showed a huge decline with only 900 shops. From 2016 to 2018, the number rmained constant with 5000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the line graph comparing shop closures and openings, but the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum (containing only 132 words). Furthermore, there are severe factual inaccuracies when reporting the data from the chart. For example, the student claims that shop closures reached a peak in 2011 with 'almost 8500 shops closing' (whereas the visual data shows openings at 8,500 and closures at 6,400) and mixes up the data series between paragraphs. This demonstrates a failure to accurately select and report the main trends and figures, resulting in a low band score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction and a brief overview. However, logical progression is hindered by the incorrect data reporting and confusing referencing. While basic cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'In 2011' are used, the logical relationships between ideas break down due to factual contradictions. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within the body paragraphs is weak because sentences do not flow logically from one to the next.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate basic vocabulary related to the prompt, such as 'line graph', 'shops closing', 'growth', and 'decline'. However, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there are noticeable word-choice errors and inaccuracies, such as 'ratio of closed shops' instead of 'number', and a spelling error 'rmained'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are unsuccessful due to confusion over data points. The lexical range is minimally adequate for the task, but frequent inaccuracies restrict the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, such as 'The number of shop closures was at peak in 2011, with almost 8500 shops closing.' However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including missing articles ('at peak', 'with only 900 shops') and tense/number inconsistencies. While these errors do not completely obscure the intended meaning, they occur frequently enough to impede smooth reading and demonstrate limited control over complex structures.
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