Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-19

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 line graph presents the number of shop closures and the opening of new shops in one particular country between 2011and 2018.

Overall, both categories show continues movement of an upward and downward trend during the period. The number of shop closures varied considerably throughout the period, while the new openings of shop showed a downward trend despite some fluctuation. By the end , both categories were similar, but followed different patterns.

By 2018,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the chart’s subject and period, and your overview correctly notes that closures fluctuate while openings generally decline. However, the response does not provide the detailed reporting needed to summarise the graph: it gives no figures, year-by-year comparisons, or specific turning points. The unfinished phrase “By 2018,” leaves the report incomplete, and the claim that both categories were similar at the end is inaccurate: closures were about 5,200, compared with roughly 3,000 openings. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, which leaves the main features unsupported. Include key values and contrasts, especially the sharp fall in closures in 2015 and the high opening figure in 2011.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic, recognisable structure: an introduction is followed by an overview, and the overview uses “Overall” to signal its purpose. The ideas within that paragraph are broadly related, moving from general trends to an end-of-period comparison. However, the response stops before the promised detail, and “By 2018,” is an incomplete paragraph fragment rather than a developed comparison. As a result, there is no progression through the years and no meaningful use of comparisons or linking between data points. Develop the report in clear paragraphs—for example, group the main changes in closures and openings—and use links such as “whereas” or “in contrast” to make comparisons explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some appropriate chart vocabulary, including “varied considerably,” “downward trend,” “fluctuation,” and “categories,” which helps communicate the broad patterns. There is also some variation in how the two series are described. However, several phrases are imprecise or awkward: “continues movement of an upward and downward trend” is cumbersome, and “the opening of new shops” is less natural than “shop openings.” “Both categories were similar” is also vague and, in this context, misrepresents the figures. Aim for concise, accurate language such as “closures fluctuated sharply” and “openings generally declined,” then use precise terms like “fell,” “peaked,” and “recovered” when describing specific changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and a more complex sentence with “while,” as in “The number of shop closures varied considerably throughout the period, while the new openings of shop showed a downward trend.” Most of the intended meaning remains understandable. However, there are noticeable errors in sentence formation and grammatical control. “Both categories show continues movement” has an incorrect verb form, and “the new openings of shop” has an article and number problem. The final “By 2018,” is an incomplete clause, while the spacing in “2011and” and “end ,” also shows weak punctuation control. Use complete sentences, check subject–verb forms and singular/plural agreement, and proofread spacing and punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.