Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-13

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 illustrates that the number of shops that are closed and number of shopes that opened in a country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall, the number of shops opening showed a downward trend, while the other shops that are leads to closure showed a fluctuation considerably. The most noticable feature was the closure of shops in year after 2011 followed by the significant recovery in the following years.

In 2011, 8500 shops led to closure, while 6500 shops are opened. Then, closure of shops dropped to 4,000 in 2012. Moreover, openning of the shops also fell to 6000 in 2013. In 2014, closure of the shops rise to 6000 as compared to the shops openning that reach to 7000. After that openning of the shops dramatically dropped below 1000. In contrast, closure of shops rise and fluctuate at 4000 and less. The openning of shops reached its peak approximately 7200 in 2013.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies the two series and gives an overview of a general decline in openings and fluctuation in closures, but the account only minimally reports the graph’s main features because several key figures and trends are misassigned. For example, 8,500 in 2011 was the number of openings, not closures; closures were about 6,400. The claim that closures fell to 4,000 in 2012 is also inaccurate (about 5,900), and the sharp fall to below 1,000 occurred in closures in 2015, not openings. The stated peak of openings in 2013 is incorrect: openings peaked in 2011. To improve, check each series against the graph and select a few accurate comparisons, especially the exceptional 2015 closure low and the overall fall in openings.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of figures, and it uses basic linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Then,” and “In contrast.” However, there is no clear progression through the years: the account jumps between dates, and some comparisons are difficult to follow because the series are repeatedly confused. “Moreover” does not clearly show the relationship between the 2012 and 2013 figures, while “After that” leaves the timing of the dramatic drop vague. The overview also repeats the idea of fluctuation without organising the main changes. Group the information chronologically or by series, and use precise references such as “in 2015” to make the sequence easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to identify the topic and describe basic movement, with phrases such as “downward trend,” “dropped,” “rise,” and “peak.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the description awkward or unclear. “The other shops that are leads to closure” is not a natural way to refer to closures, and “shops led to closure” incorrectly describes the data. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “shopes,” “noticable,” and “openning.” Use the graph’s categories consistently—“shop closures” and “shop openings”—and choose precise trend language, such as “fell sharply,” “recovered,” or “fluctuated.” Proofreading spelling would also make the report more reliable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning is sometimes recoverable. However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction can make the relationships between figures unclear. Examples include “the number of shops that are closed,” “the other shops that are leads,” and “closure of the shops rise.” Tense use is also inconsistent in the past-time report: “shops are opened” should be “shops opened,” while “rise” should be “rose.” The sentence beginning “The most noticable feature was the closure of shops in year after 2011” is difficult to interpret grammatically. Practise consistent past-tense reporting and build clear comparison sentences with accurate subjects and verbs.

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