Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-12

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 diagram given illustrates information about the number of shops the opened and those that closed within one country over the span of 7 years.

Overall, there is a decrease in both the numbers of shops opened and closed, though these numbers see great fluctuation over the time period given. By the end of study, the number of shops that faced closure surpasses the number of shops that have been opened.

Initially, in 2011, the number of shops opened saw a great peak at 8500 shops before falling drastically a year later to 4000. This number sees a gradual increase across the next two years, reaching approximately 6100, before dropping to 4000 once more. Little change was recorded over the last few years, before it reached an all-time low of 3000 shops opened.

Simultaneously, the number of closures fell from 6400 to 6000 in 2012. However, these figures witness a striking peak in 2013 at about 7100 shops followed by a steep fall to only 700 shops closed in 2015. An equally-sized jump is recorded only a year later to about 5200 closures, and this figure remains almost constant for the next two years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered both shop openings and closures throughout the period, making relevant comparisons, such as noting that closures eventually surpassed openings. The data points are generally accurate, and the key features are highlighted well. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with maximum precision; for instance, the 'all-time low' of 3000 in 2018 is clear, but ensure that the distinction between the two categories is always explicitly linked to the years provided to avoid any ambiguity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on openings and closures respectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Simultaneously', and 'However' to link your sentences effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main categories of data. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the different time periods is easy to follow, which demonstrates a good command of organizational structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'faced closure', 'witness a striking peak', and 'remains almost constant' are well-chosen and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling errors, and your word choice is generally accurate. To improve further, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common synonyms to describe trends, such as 'a marginal decline' or 'a significant surge', which would elevate the lexical sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over tense usage—specifically the past tense for historical data—is consistent. There are minor slips, such as 'the number of shops the opened' (should be 'that opened'), but these are rare and do not impede communication. Your punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence variety helps maintain the reader's interest. Continued focus on proofreading for small grammatical slips will help you reach the highest band.

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