Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-29
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 given line chart illustrates the information about number of closed shops and how many new shops opened in country between 2011 and 2018. The data has been measured in numbers.
To start with, closed shops, from the starting year shops were closed with 63,000 numbers and declined with 59,000 in 2012. While the figure of closed shops experienced a stedy rise in 2013 with 7,000 then dramaticaly decreased with 800 numbers in 2015 then slightly increase in closing shop with 5,000 and stable from 2016 to 2018 with 5,000.
Moving further, open new shops, in 2012 it increased in opening shops with 85,000 then decreased in 2013 with 4,000. It sharply rose with 6,000 in 2014 and a similar trend was seen from 2015 to 2017 with 4,000 new shops were open.
Overall, most of the shops were open in the starting year and similar trend was seen in two years with equal numbers of shops.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main trends in the line chart regarding shop closures and openings between 2011 and 2018. However, there are significant inaccuracies in reporting the data (e.g., stating closures were '63,000' and later mentioning figures like '800' or '85,000' which do not correspond to the scale or the prompt). While an overview is attempted at the end, the misreading of numbers and lack of clear comparative analysis across the period limit the effectiveness of the response. The task is addressed only partially, placing it within the Band 5 descriptor.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into four distinct paragraphs, attempting an introduction, body paragraphs for closures and openings, and an overview. However, the logical progression is hindered by poor referencing and mechanical cohesive devices like 'To start with,' and 'Moving further,'. The transitions between years and categories feel disjointed, and the overall progression lacks clear direction. Paragraphing is present, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is frequently faulty, aligning with a Band 5 score.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with phrases such as 'closed shops', 'new shops opened', and 'similar trend'. There are notable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'open new shops' instead of 'new shop openings' and confusing numbers with actual vocabulary items. The range of vocabulary is limited and minimally adequate for the task, resulting in a Band 5 score as errors in word choice and data representation cause some difficulty for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many attempts are grammatically flawed or incomplete (e.g., 'from the starting year shops were closed with 63,000 numbers and declined with 59,000 in 2012'). Frequent grammatical errors, misuse of prepositions (e.g., 'declined with'), and issues with tense usage are present throughout the text. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, though the basic meaning can sometimes be discerned, fitting the Band 5 profile.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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