Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-26

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 graph illustrates the number of shops that closed or opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall, it is evident that the closed shops saw on decline in the mid of year while rose in the end. However, opened shops rose in the starting but decrease at the end of the year.

In the beginning, opened shops are in the higher ratio about 8500, however decrease in the year 2012 with the passage of time it was increasing again.Consequently, decline in 2015 and constant also in the year 2016. Moreover decreases in the end of the year 2018.

In contrast, closed shops was less in the numbers as compared to opened in the year 2011 but suddenly rose in the year 2013 and slight decreased in 2014. While in the year 2015 extreme number of decline was saw but with the passage of time balanced up and settled in the 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the two series and include a general overview, noting a mid-period fall in closures and an overall decline in openings. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: closures did not simply decline in the middle and rise at the end, since they plunged to about 600 in 2015 before recovering to around 5,200. Openings did not rise at the start; they fell sharply from about 8,500 in 2011 to 3,900 in 2012. Several figures and comparisons are omitted, and phrases such as “higher ratio” do not clearly report the data. The response is also below the required 150 words. Select the main turning points and compare the series more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs describing openings and closures. This gives the reader some organisation, and “In contrast” signals a comparison. However, progression within the body paragraphs is difficult to follow because several events are joined without clear sentence boundaries, as in “with the passage of time it was increasing again.Consequently, decline in 2015.” The sequence of changes is not consistently expressed, and connectors such as “Moreover” and “While” do not always establish a clear relationship between ideas. Use one sentence for each key period or change, and link comparisons explicitly so the account develops in a clear chronological order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “shops,” “closed,” “opened,” “decreased,” and “settled,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the data difficult to interpret. “Higher ratio” is not a natural way to describe a larger number, while “balanced up” and “extreme number of decline” do not clearly convey the sharp fall and subsequent recovery. Repetition of “with the passage of time” also reduces precision. Aim for standard graph language and accurate verbs for movement, such as “fell sharply,” “recovered,” “fluctuated,” and “remained stable,” ensuring each phrase matches the figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “In contrast” and clauses beginning with “while.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the intended meaning unclear. Examples include “saw on decline,” “opened shops are in the higher ratio,” and “closed shops was less,” where articles, verb forms, or agreement are faulty. The sentence “While in the year 2015 extreme number of decline was saw” also has an incorrect passive construction and lacks a clear main clause. Punctuation and spacing need attention, particularly the missing space after “again.” Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complete sentences before adding subordinate clauses.

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