Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04

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 provides the comparative trend between two aspects in a country from 2011 to 2018: the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened.

Overall, while shop openings initially outnumbered closures, both categories experienced considerable fluctuations throughout the period and frequently intersected.

In 2011, shop openings stood at approximately 8,500, while closures were lower at 6,500. By 2012, closures had edged down slightly to 6,000, overtaking openings, which plummeted to just 4,000. In 2013, the figures converged, with openings rising to 5,000 and closures climbing to 7,100. The following year, openings continued their upward trajectory, reaching 6,100, whereas closures experienced a downward turn to around 6,200.

In contrast, closures plummeted sharply from approximately 6,200 in 2014 to a mere 600 in 2015, while openings edged down slightly to 4,000 over the same period. Between 2016 and 2017, openings remained relatively stable at 4,000. Conversely, closures overtook this figure in 2016, rising to around 5,000, and fluctuated slightly around the same level throughout 2017. Finally, in 2018, openings experienced a further decline, falling to 3,000 by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key features to illustrate the data. You accurately identified the initial state, the fluctuations, and the final outcomes. The comparison between shop openings and closures is well-integrated throughout the response. You have covered all parts of the task effectively, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the movement of the data over the seven-year period. The information is well-supported by the figures provided in the graph, and your summary is balanced and accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data chronologically. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'conversely', 'while', and 'the following year' to link sentences and clauses effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different time periods, which helps the reader navigate the information. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'upward trajectory', 'plummeted', 'converged', and 'edged down'. The use of these terms is precise and adds variety to your writing. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and your language is natural and sophisticated enough to convey the data clearly. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied verbs to describe the movement of the lines, which enhances the quality of your report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You have used a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses starting with 'while' or 'whereas'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the response. Your writing is clear and easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of grammatical competence.

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