Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25

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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the annual number of shop closures and new shop openings in a single country over an eight-year period from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, while both metrics exhibited considerable fluctuation, shop closures consistently outnumbered new openings for most of the period, except during 2013 and 2014 when openings surpassed closures.

In 2011, approximately 5,400 shops closed, whereas around 5,900 new shops opened. The following year, closures surged by about 1,900 to reach a peak of 7,300, while openings dipped to roughly 5,600. By 2013, closures had declined to approximately 6,900, but openings rose sharply to about 7,000, marking the first year when openings exceeded closures. This trend reversed in 2014, as closures climbed to their highest point of around 8,000, while openings fell slightly to 6,900.

A dramatic downturn occurred in 2015, with closures dropping to about 5,800 and openings plummeting to a low of approximately 3,200. The following year, closures continued to fall to 4,600, while openings rebounded to around 5,500. In 2017, closures increased modestly to 5,400, and openings rose to 5,800. By 2018, closures reached roughly 6,600, whereas openings grew to about 6,300, leaving a relatively narrow gap between the two figures.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully identified the key features, such as the peak in closures in 2014 and the crossover points. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the two categories is consistent throughout the text. You have selected relevant information to support your summary, and the overall position is clear. To reach a higher band, ensure that the 'main features' are highlighted even more distinctly in the overview, perhaps by explicitly noting the overall downward trend for both metrics by the end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two well-structured body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving chronologically through the data. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'whereas', 'the following year', and 'this trend reversed', which help the reader follow the narrative without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods. The flow is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'exhibited considerable fluctuation', 'surged', 'dipped', 'plummeting', and 'rebounded' show a sophisticated command of language appropriate for describing trends in a graph. The word choices are natural and contribute to the clarity of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary is varied and avoids repetition, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response. You have successfully used less common items to describe the data accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and accurate use of comparative structures. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled with precision. You have maintained consistent control over verb tenses, which is essential for a report covering a past time period. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The sentence variety is excellent, and the control over complex structures is consistent throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of grammatical accuracy and flexibility.

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