Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-27

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 4.0)

The graph represents the trend of shop opening and closure in a country during the period of 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of shops closures were the highest in 2011 , while shop opening was relatively very less

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and attempts an overview, but it reports very little of the information needed to summarise the graph. The claim that closures were highest in 2011 is inaccurate: closures peaked in 2013 at about 7,200, while 2011 was around 6,400. The statement that openings were “relatively very less” is unclear and does not capture the main pattern; openings were highest in 2011, at about 8,500, then fell overall. No yearly comparisons or key changes are described. The response also falls substantially short of the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally addressed. To improve, give an accurate overview and support it with selected figures and comparisons across the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic sequence: it introduces the graph and then gives an overall statement. This provides a small amount of organisation, but there is no developed progression because the response ends before presenting supporting details. The two sentences are related to the task, although the overview does not clearly distinguish the trends in closures and openings. There are also no linking expressions or paragraph development to guide the reader through comparisons. Build a clear structure with an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and one or two detail paragraphs grouped by notable changes. Use simple links such as “by contrast,” “after this,” and “whereas” to make the comparisons explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to identify the topic, with terms such as “graph,” “trend,” “shop opening,” and “closure.” However, the range is very limited, and some phrasing is imprecise or unnatural. “Shop opening was relatively very less” does not clearly express a comparison, while “shops closures” is an awkward form. The response also repeats the same basic terms without using language for movement or comparison, such as rising, falling, peaking, or fluctuating. Aim to use accurate chart vocabulary and collocations, for example, “the number of shop openings,” “closures peaked,” and “openings declined overall.” This would make the summary clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response uses two short sentences, and their basic meaning can be understood, but the grammatical range is narrow and there are noticeable errors. In “the number of shops closures were,” the noun phrase is incorrectly formed and the singular subject “number” requires “was.” The phrase “during the period of 2011 to 2018” uses an unsuitable preposition pattern; “between 2011 and 2018” is more accurate. There is also an unnecessary space before the comma in “2011 ,” and the second sentence lacks a final full stop. Practise accurate noun phrases, subject–verb agreement, and punctuation, then add varied sentence structures to report comparisons and changes.

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