Academic Writing Task 1 · line graph

Trends in the number of shop closures and openings 2011-2018

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. Write at least 150 words.

Number of shop closures and openings 2011-2018 (number of shops)

Closures
Openings

View the data

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Closures	6,400	5,900	7,200	6,500	600	5,200	5,000	5,200
Openings	8,500	3,900	5,000	6,200	4,000	4,000	4,200	3,000

Chart redrawn by BandLadder from the data in the original IELTS practice task. Many IELTS practice tasks come from the Cambridge IELTS series (Cambridge University Press & Assessment); all rights in the original tasks remain with their owners.

Band 8 sample answer

The line graph illustrates the fluctuations in the number of shop closures and new openings in a specific country between 2011 and 2018. Overall, the number of shop openings experienced a significant decline over the period, while closures fluctuated considerably, reaching a dramatic low in 2015.

In 2011, shop openings began at a peak of 8,500, significantly outnumbering the 6,400 closures. However, this trend reversed sharply in 2012, as openings plummeted to 3,900, while closures remained relatively stable at 5,900. Throughout 2013 and 2014, both figures showed upward movement, with closures peaking at 7,200 in 2013 and openings reaching 6,200 in 2014.

A notable divergence occurred in 2015, when the number of closures dropped precipitously to just 600, whereas openings stood at 4,000. Following this, closures recovered to 5,200 in 2016 and remained fairly consistent through 2018, ending at 5,200. Conversely, openings remained stagnant at 4,000 in 2016, saw a minor rise to 4,200 in 2017, and finally fell to a low of 3,000 by the end of the period. By 2018, the number of closures exceeded the number of new openings by 2,200.

184 words. Every figure in the answer comes from the chart above.

How to write about line graphs

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest.
Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn.
Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.

fluctuated: changed frequently in size or amount over time
plummeted: fell or dropped straight down at high speed
precipitously: happening in a very sudden and dramatic way
divergence: the process of becoming different from something else
stagnant: showing no activity or current development at all
exceeded: to be greater in number than something else

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Frequently asked questions

What should the overview say?

Overall, the number of shop openings experienced a significant decline over the period, while closures fluctuated considerably, reaching a dramatic low in 2015.

How long should an IELTS Task 1 answer be?

At least 150 words; 170 to 200 is the safe range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

How do I describe line graphs?

Overview first: the overall direction of each line and which was highest. Group lines that move together instead of describing each one in turn. Give the start and end figures plus the peak or low point, not every value.