Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-02

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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates a countries data of shops that has been opened and closed during the time, 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the newly opened shops has shown a downward trend and shops that has been closed shown fluctuation over the period of time.

In 2011, the number of new shops opened was approximately 8,500 and the amount of shops closed was around 6,400. Openings saw a dramatic fall in 2012 and reached almost to 4,000, while closures moderately increased to almost 7,200 in 2013 and fell significantly to 700 approximately in 2015. In 2014, openings rose to more than 6,000.

Again, the opening of new shops fell moderately in 2015 and remained at about 4,000 till 2016, although it slightly increased in the following year, it fell again in the end period approximately to 3,000. On the other hand, closures jumped to more than 5,000 in 2016 and stayed almost the same in the end period with a slight fluctuation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and key data points. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with specific figures from the graph. However, the report could be improved by ensuring the data is presented more accurately; for instance, the description of the 2015 closure figure as '700' is inaccurate based on the visual data provided. Additionally, while you cover the main trends, a more systematic comparison between the two categories throughout the period would strengthen the response. Overall, you have addressed the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is organized logically into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In 2011', 'On the other hand', and 'although', which help guide the reader through the information. However, the transition between the description of openings and closures in the third paragraph is slightly abrupt. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the use of cohesive devices could be more varied and sophisticated to improve the flow between sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate for this type of task.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'downward trend', 'fluctuation', 'dramatic fall', and 'significantly'. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'a countries data' (should be 'a country's data') and 'in the end period' (which is slightly unnatural). While you attempt to use a range of descriptive language, some of the phrasing is repetitive. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic collocations and ensuring that nouns and verbs are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement, such as 'newly opened shops has shown' (should be 'have shown') and 'shops that has been closed' (should be 'have been closed'). Additionally, there are some minor punctuation and phrasing issues, such as 'reached almost to 4,000' (the 'to' is unnecessary). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on consistent subject-verb agreement and refining sentence structure will improve your accuracy.

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