Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-20
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 closed and the number of new shops that opened in a particular country between 2011 and 2018.
Overall, the number of new shop openings showed a downward trend, despite some fluctuations, while shop closures varied considerably. The most notable feature was the dramatic fall in closures in 2015, followed by a sharp recovery in the following year.
In 2011, approximately 8,500 new shops opened, compared with around 6,400 closures. The number of openings then fell sharply to about 4,000 in 2012, before increasing steadily to 5,000 in 2013 and roughly 6,200 in 2014. However, openings subsequently declined, reaching 4,000 in 2015 and 2016, before rising slightly to around 4,200 in 2017 and then falling to just 3,000 in 2018.
The number of shop closures was relatively stable between 2011 and 2014, fluctuating between approximately 5,900 and 7,100. However, there was an exceptionally steep decline in 2015, when closures dropped to only about 500. This was followed by a dramatic recovery to approximately 5,100 in 2016. The figure then remained relatively stable, at around 5,000 in 2017, before increasing slightly to approximately 5,200 in 2018.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear summary of the main trends and features of the chart. The overview captures the downward trend in openings and the fluctuating closures, while also highlighting the standout anomaly in 2015. Key data points are selected accurately, such as the initial figures in 2011 and the dramatic drop in shop closures in 2015 down to approximately 500. Comparisons are made appropriately between openings and closures throughout the period. The response meets all the requirements of Task 1 effectively, demonstrating a fully developed and well-supported presentation of the visual data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a well-crafted overview, and then moves into detailed body paragraphs analyzing openings and closures separately. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to manage the flow of information, such as "despite some fluctuations", "However", and "This was followed by". Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in developing the summary. Referencing is clear throughout, making the text easy to follow without any disruptive or mechanical transitions.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is used precisely to describe trends and figures, with terms like "downward trend", "dramatic fall", "sharp recovery", and "exceptionally steep decline". Less common items and collocations are handled skillfully, such as "fluctuating between approximately" and "remaining relatively stable". Word choice is natural and accurate, with no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The use of vocabulary allows for precise reporting of the visual data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., "followed by a sharp recovery in the following year", "before increasing steadily to 5,000 in 2013"). The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing excellent control of tense usage, prepositions, and punctuation. Only very occasional minor slips might be found, but overall grammatical accuracy is high and never impedes communication. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout to separate clauses and introduce numerical data.
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