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.

Same questionCompare 3 different answers (Band 6–7)

Sample Response

1

The line graph illustrates the changes in the number of shop closuresnumbers of closed shops and newly-opened shops in one country from 2011 to 2018.

2

It is noticeable that both closures and openings experienced an overall decline throughout the period, while closures had a much smaller final drop compared with the initial number. While the figure for openings was considerablylargely higher than that of closures at the beginning of the periodin the beginning, it was soon overtaken in 2012.

3

In 2011, around 8,5008500 new shops opened, while the figure for closed shops stayedstaying much lower at 6,4006400. However, the number of openings was overtaken between 2011 and 2012 after a drastic fall to slightly just under 4,000 in 2012less than 400 in 2013 in openings, while only a closures experienced only a moderate slidemoderate slide happened to that of closures to about 6000. Since then, openings continued increasing steadily for two years to around 6100 in 2014, while the figure for closures rose to around 7,200 in 2013climbed to approximately 7100 in 2012 and then slid back to slightly higher than its initial leveloriginal place one year later.

4

Soon afterwards, a steepsteer fall brought closures to the a low of roughly 600bottom roughly 600 in 2015, yet the figure for openings underwent a milder decrease to 4000. After bouncing back to around 5100 in 2016, the number of closures remained relatively stable until 2018stayed stable to 2018 with minor fluctuations. Meanwhile, openings saw a moderate gradual increase of around 200 shopsincrease by about 100 shops from 2015 to 2017, before dipping to 3,000dipping to 3000 in 2018.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 6.5

The report effectively highlights the primary trends and provides a clear overview comparing shop openings and closures over the given timeframe. However, the description is occasionally weakened by incorrect data readings and minor typographical or grammatical slips. Accuracy in reporting specific numerical data and refining prepositional accuracy will elevate the overall quality.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

6.0
Scoring rule

A relevant overview and clear overall trends are presented, but some visual figures are misreported.

Next step

Double-check data values against the chart axes to avoid inaccuracies, such as citing four hundred instead of nearly four thousand for openings.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.5
Scoring rule

Information is arranged chronologically into logical paragraphs with clear progression throughout the report.

Next step

Ensure dates and sequential linking words accurately match the trends described to prevent confusing timeline transitions.

LR

Lexical Resource

6.5
Scoring rule

A good variety of lexical items related to trends and changes is used, though minor word-choice errors occur.

Next step

Proofread for minor spelling or word-choice errors, such as changing steer fall to steep fall.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

6.5
Scoring rule

A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is produced with generally good control, alongside occasional grammatical slips.

Next step

Focus on precise prepositional usage and clause structures following subordinating conjunctions like while and whereas.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

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.

Your response

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