Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-01

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 given line graph illustrates the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US throughout the period from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is evident that the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector experienced an increase before it declined gradually. Additionally, the number of jobs in retail and healthcare sectors rose steadily, whereas the number of jobs in the agriculture sector decreased over the period.

At the beginning of the period, Employment in the retail sector stood at approximately 6 million. It then rose significantly to about 16 million in 2020. An opposite trend can be observed in agriculture sector. It started at roughly 6 million in 1960, which then fell steadily to around 2 million in 2020.

Turning to the other categories, the number of jobs in the healthcare sector showed a different pattern. It stood at around 2 million in 1960, which then increased moderately to about 16 million in 2020. Meanwhile, the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector recorded nearly 15 million in 1960, which increased slightly to 20 million before it declined considerably to about 13 million in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and supported these with specific data points from the graph. The comparison between sectors is well-integrated, such as noting the 'opposite trend' between retail and agriculture. You have successfully identified the key features, including the peak and subsequent decline in manufacturing and the steady growth in healthcare and retail. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with maximum precision, as some figures (e.g., 'approximately 6 million') are accurate but could be more tightly linked to the visual evidence provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Additionally,' 'whereas,' 'Turning to,' and 'Meanwhile' to guide the reader through the information. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a report of this nature. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure allows for easy navigation of the data presented. No significant issues with cohesion were noted.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'experienced an increase,' 'declined gradually,' and 'recorded nearly 15 million' are used effectively. There is an awareness of style appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to describe trends, such as 'witnessed a marginal rise' or 'underwent a significant contraction' to add variety to your descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'before it declined gradually' and 'which then fell steadily.' The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips, such as the capitalization error in 'At the beginning of the period, Employment...' where 'employment' should be lowercase. Punctuation is generally well-handled, and the sentence variety contributes to a fluent reading experience. The control over complex structures is consistent, and errors do not impede communication at any point.

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