Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-05

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 trends in two categories of shop activity — shown as a solid line and a dashed line — in one country from 2011 to 2018.

Overall, the dashed line trended downward despite starting from the highest point on the chart, while the solid line fluctuated moderately before a dramatic, temporary collapse in 2015.

The dashed line began at roughly 8,500 in 2011, dropping sharply to under 4,000 in 2012. It recovered gradually, peaking near 6,300 in 2014, then declined again, with minor fluctuations, to about 3,100 by 2018.

The solid line started lower but then, around 6,300 in 2011, moving between 5,900 and 7,200 over the next three years. In 2015 it plunged to just 700 — the lowest figure on the graph — before rebounding sharply to roughly 5,300 in 2016. It then held steady for the remainder of the period, ending near 5,300 in 2018.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and key features of the graph. You have successfully highlighted the significant fluctuations and the dramatic collapse in 2015. The overview provides a clear summary of the overall movement of both lines. To reach a higher band, ensure you explicitly label the categories (e.g., 'shop closures' vs 'new shop openings') rather than referring to them as 'solid' and 'dashed' lines, as this demonstrates a better understanding of the data's context. The comparison between the two categories is well-handled, and the key data points are accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The report is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on each line. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'despite', 'while', and 'before' effectively to link information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the trends. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the different time periods is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, which makes the text easy to read.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'plunged', 'rebounding', and 'held steady'. These choices are precise and help convey the movement of the data effectively. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific terms related to business or economic trends could elevate the score further. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the language used is natural throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, including subordinate clauses ('despite starting from...', 'before a dramatic... collapse'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is strong. There is a minor grammatical slip in the fourth paragraph: 'The solid line started lower but then, around 6,300 in 2011, moving between...' should be 'moved between' to maintain parallel structure. However, this is a minor error that does not affect the clarity of the report. Overall, the grammatical control is consistent and sophisticated.

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.