Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The line chart illustrates comparison between the number of shops opened and closed in a country in tenure of [redacted phone].Overall, the number of new shops opened fluctuated considerably and declined overall, whereas shop closures remained relatively stable apart from a dramatic fall in 2015. By 2018, new openings were considerably lower than closures.
In 2011, approximately 8,500 new shops opened, significantly exceeding the number of closures, at around 6,400. However, openings fell sharply to 4,000 in 2012 before increasing steadily to 6,000 in 2014. During the same period, closures fluctuated between approximately 5,900 and 7,200, reaching their highest point in 2013.
In 2015, shop closures experienced a dramatic decline, falling to only around 500, while new openings stood at approximately 4,000. Closures then rebounded sharply to 5,200 in 2016 and remained close to 5,000 in 2017. In contrast, openings remained relatively stable before declining to just 3,000 in 2018. Consequently, closures outnumbered openings at the end of the period.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your description. The comparison between shop openings and closures is consistent throughout the report. You have accurately identified the significant fluctuation in openings and the notable drop in closures in 2015. The information is well-selected, and the report provides a logical summary of the data provided in the graph. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with maximum precision, as some figures are rounded quite broadly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'however', 'during the same period', and 'consequently' are used appropriately to link sentences and clauses. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the two categories is clearly established. The structure is coherent, and the referencing is accurate throughout the text, making the report easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'fluctuated considerably', 'significantly exceeding', 'increased steadily', and 'rebounded sharply' show a good command of descriptive language. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the trends with precision. The word choices are natural and contribute to the overall clarity of the report. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the task requirements.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a variety of complex structures, such as the opening participial phrase 'In contrast, openings remained...' and the use of subordinate clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, which enhances the readability of the report. While there is a minor error in the introductory sentence ('in tenure of' should be 'over the period of'), this does not detract from the overall high level of grammatical accuracy.
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