Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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 number of shops that opened and closed in a particular country between 2011 and 2018.

Overall, the number of shop closures fluctuated considerably over the period, reaching a dramatic low in 2015 before recovering sharply. In contrast, the number of new shops opened generally declined, despite some fluctuations. By 2018, both figures were lower than their respective starting points.

In 2011, approximately 6,400 shops closed, while the number of new shops opened was considerably higher, at around 8,500. The number of closures then fell slightly to 5,900 in 2012, before rising to a peak of approximately 7,200 in 2013. It subsequently decreased to about 6,500 in 2014.

A particularly significant change occurred in 2015, when shop closures plunged dramatically to only around 700, the lowest figure shown on the graph. However, this was followed by a sharp recovery, with closures increasing to approximately 5,200 in 2016. The figure then remained relatively stable, at about 5,000 in 2017, before rising slightly to 5,200 in 2018.

Meanwhile, the number of new shops opened fell substantially from 8,500 in 2011 to 4,000 in 2012. It then increased gradually, reaching approximately 5,000 in 2013 and 6,200 in 2014. After that, the figure dropped back to 4,000 in 2015 and 2016, followed by a slight rise to 4,200 in 2017. Finally, it fell considerably to around 3,000 in 2018, which was the lowest figure recorded for shop openings.

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 trends and successfully identified the main features, such as the dramatic drop in closures in 2015 and the overall decline in openings. The data is accurately reported, and comparisons are made between the two categories throughout the text. The information is well-selected to highlight the key movements in the graph, and the response is fully developed, meeting all requirements for a high-band performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the overview to the specific details of closures and then openings. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'subsequently', 'Meanwhile', and 'After that' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The structure is coherent, and the information flows smoothly, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends with precision. Phrases like 'fluctuated considerably', 'recovering sharply', 'plunged dramatically', and 'fell substantially' demonstrate a good command of lexical items appropriate for describing data. The word choice is accurate and contributes to the clarity of the report. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the number of new shops opened was...', 'which was the lowest figure recorded...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of information. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and structure is consistent throughout.

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