Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30
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 compares the numbers of shops that closed and opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.
Overall, the number of new shop openings showed a clear downward trend over the period, 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 subsequent year.
In 2011, approximately 8,500 new shops opened, compared with around 6,500 closures. The number of openings then fell sharply to about 4,000 in 2012, before rising gradually to 5,000 in 2013 and approximately 6,000 in 2014. After that, the figure remained at around 4,000–4,200 between 2015 and 2017, before declining further to just 3,000 in 2018, the lowest figure recorded.
The number of closures followed a rather different pattern. Starting at roughly 6,500 in 2011, it declined slightly to 6,000 in 2012, then climbed to a peak of approximately 7,200 in 2013. After falling to around 6,500 in 2014, closures plummeted dramatically to only about 700 in 2015. However, this was followed by a sharp rebound to approximately 5,200 in 2016. The figure then remained relatively stable, at around 5,000–5,200, through to 2018.
Overall, shop openings declined substantially over the eight-year period, whereas closures ended at a level broadly similar to their starting point despite considerable fluctuations.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student has fully satisfied the requirements of Task 1 by providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the main trends and features shown in the line graph. The overview successfully captures both the overall downward trend in shop openings and the significant fluctuations in closures, including the notable anomaly in 2015. Data points are cited accurately and used effectively to support comparisons between the two series throughout the eight-year period. There are no notable omissions or misinterpretations of the source data, demonstrating a strong understanding of how to select and report key statistical information.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression from an introductory statement and general overview into detailed body paragraphs, concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2011', 'before rising gradually', 'After that', and 'whereas' are used naturally and appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is logical, with separate paragraphs dedicated to openings and closures respectively, ensuring that the information is easy to follow and digest without any confusion.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic descriptions of graphical data. Phrases such as 'dramatic fall', 'sharp recovery', 'declined substantially', and 'broadly similar' show a strong command of collocation and stylistic appropriateness. Word choices are precise, and there are no spelling or lexical errors throughout the text, allowing the communication to flow smoothly and naturally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The text exhibits a wide variety of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'followed by a sharp recovery in the subsequent year', 'After falling to around 6,500 in 2014, closures plummeted dramatically'). Punctuation and grammatical control are exemplary throughout, meeting the criteria for a high band score.
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