Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-16

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 8.0)

The line graph illustrates the fluctuations in the number of shop closures and openings in a particular country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the data reveals a persistent trend of higher closures compared to openings throughout the examined period, with significant fluctuations observed in both metrics.

In 2011, the number of shop closures began at approximately 5400, which subsequently increased to 7300 in 2012. Following this peak, closures experienced a slight decline to around 6900 in 2013, before surging to 8000 in 2014. A notable decrease occurred in 2015, bringing the figure down to approximately 5800. The years 2016 and 2017 saw a further reduction to 4600, after which closures climbed again to reach 6600 in 2018, indicating a volatile trend with significant fluctuations, especially in the earlier years.

Conversely, new shop openings started at approximately 5900 in 2011 but underwent a steady decline to around 5600 in 2012. An increase to about 7000 was recorded in 2013, followed by a decrease to 6900 in 2014. A dramatic drop to roughly 3200 occurred in 2015. However, an upward trend began in 2016, with openings rising to around 5500, and continuing to increase to 5800 in 2017 and 6300 in 2018. Despite some fluctuations, the total number of openings consistently lagged behind the closures, illustrating a challenging market environment for new businesses during the observed period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and supported these with specific data points from the graph. The comparison between closures and openings is well-integrated throughout the report, particularly in the concluding sentence. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the volatility in closures and the significant drop in openings in 2015. The information is accurate and relevant, and the response is well-structured to highlight the contrasting trends between the two categories. No significant information is omitted, and the summary is balanced and professional.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data points effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'Following this peak', and 'Despite some fluctuations' are used naturally to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the analysis of closures from openings, which aids readability. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each sentence contributes to the overall summary without unnecessary repetition. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the comparison between the two sets of data.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'persistent trend', 'subsequently increased', 'surging to', and 'lagged behind' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is precise and used in the correct context, which enhances the clarity of the report. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate, it could be slightly more varied in terms of 'less common' items to reach the highest band, but the current range is more than sufficient for a high score. There are no spelling errors or awkward collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'Following this peak, closures experienced a slight decline..., before surging to...', which are handled with ease. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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.