Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-31
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The graph below gives information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US, 1960-2020
Student answer (Band 8.0)
The graph illustrates the number of jobs measured in millions, in the manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare sectors, of the economy in the United States from 1960 to 2020. Overall, it is evident that while the number of jobs in the retail and healthcare sectors increased over the period, that of agriculture declined slightly. Meanwhile, manufacturing recorded the highest figure until 2000.
The healthcare and retail sectors followed a similar pattern with healthcare recording the lowest figure in 1960. Both stood at approximately 2 million and 6 million in 1960 respectively. They rose slowly to 5 million and 10 million in 1980, before they climbed significantly and surpassed manufacturing to reach about 16 million in 2020, where they became the largest employers.
However, the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector increased before declining steadily. It began at 15 million in 1960, followed by a sharp growth to reach a peak of 20 million in 1980. Then it fell gradually to just below 15 million in 2020. Furthermore, agriculture experienced a gradual decline over the period. It stood at the same figure as retail in 1960. Although retail grew, agriculture experienced a downward trend to about 4 million in 1980. It remain stable for the next 20 years, before ending at approximately 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and selected key features to highlight, such as the peak of manufacturing in 1980 and the convergence of healthcare and retail. The comparisons between sectors are relevant and accurate. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are precise; for example, you mentioned agriculture stood at the same figure as retail in 1960, but the graph shows a slight discrepancy. Overall, the information is well-selected and logically presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the overview to specific sector trends. You use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'However', and 'Furthermore' effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sectors, which aids the reader in following the analysis.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'recorded the highest figure', 'surpassed manufacturing', and 'downward trend' are well-chosen and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increased' or 'declined' to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more flexible control of academic register.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of tense is consistent throughout the report. There is a minor error in subject-verb agreement ('It remain stable' should be 'It remained stable'), but this is a rare slip and does not hinder understanding. The punctuation is generally accurate, supporting the clarity of your comparisons. You have a good grasp of grammatical structures suitable for this task.
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