Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-02

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 graph illustrates the number of shops closures and opening in a single country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the number of shops that closed and the number that opened both saw a large number of fluctuations during the specified period of time. However, closing outpaced opening in all years except for 2011 and 2015.

The number of shops that closed fluctuated between roughly 6000 and 7000 during the first four year of the period, after which it fell sharply to its lowest point, about 600 in 2015. However, this number rose significantly to approximately 5000 the following year and stayed at this level until the end of the period.

In 2011, around 8500 shops opened, which resulted in 2000 net openings. After a steep drop down to 4000 in 2012, openings made a rebound, reaching nearly the same level as closings in 2014 at just over 6000. This figure then dropped again to its 2012 level in 2015, where it remained until it decreased further to an all-time low at 3000 in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the data. You have successfully highlighted the key fluctuations and made relevant comparisons, such as noting that closures outpaced openings in most years. The data is accurately reported, and the inclusion of specific figures supports your points well. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently distinguish between the two categories throughout; for instance, in the third paragraph, you mention '600' as the lowest point for closures, which is a strong analytical point. The summary is well-focused and addresses all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'after which', and 'which resulted in' to link sentences and clauses. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the trends of closures and openings. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the data points is easy to follow. To improve further, ensure that referencing remains precise throughout the text to avoid any ambiguity in the comparisons.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'outpaced', 'fluctuated', 'steep drop', and 'made a rebound' are used effectively in the context of describing trends. There is an awareness of style, and the vocabulary is generally appropriate for an academic report. While the range is good, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'number' (e.g., 'figure', 'quantity', 'proportion') would enhance the lexical variety. The spelling is accurate, and word choice is generally precise throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of relative clauses ('which resulted in...') and contrastive conjunctions. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammatical control is strong. There are minor slips, such as 'first four year' (should be 'years') and 'shops closures' (should be 'shop closures'), but these are infrequent and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally correct, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain a good flow. Continued attention to pluralization and noun-phrase construction will help ensure even greater accuracy.

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