Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-07

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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates changes in the number of people employed in four sectors of the US economy — manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare — over a sixty-year period from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, employment in retail and healthcare rose substantially over the period, eventually converging at similar levels, whereas manufacturing and agriculture both saw long-term declines, with manufacturing experiencing a temporary rise before falling.

In 1960, manufacturing employed around 15 million people, making it one of the larger sectors at the time. This figure climbed further by 1980, before entering a gradual decline through 2000 and dropping sharply by 2020, ending well below its starting level. Agriculture followed a broadly similar downward trajectory throughout the period, though its decline was more gradual and consistent, reflecting a long-term shift away from farming-related employment.

By contrast, retail employment expanded steadily throughout the sixty years, rising from approximately 6 million in 1960 to around 16 million by 2020. Healthcare showed an even more pronounced upward trend, starting from a comparatively low base and overtaking most other sectors by the final decades. By 2020, healthcare and retail employment had reached broadly comparable levels, each accounting for a significantly larger share of jobs than at the start of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that highlights the main trends, such as the growth in retail and healthcare versus the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. The key features are well-selected, and you have made effective comparisons throughout the report. The data is accurately reported, and the structure allows for a logical presentation of the information. You have successfully identified the convergence of the retail and healthcare sectors by the end of the period, which demonstrates a high level of analytical skill.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the introduction and overview to specific details about the declining and then the growing sectors. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'by contrast', and 'throughout the period' are used naturally and effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next without any confusion for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'downward trajectory', 'pronounced upward trend', and 'comparatively low base' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language. The word choices are consistently appropriate for an academic report, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. The vocabulary is varied and contributes significantly to the clarity and professional tone of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'Manufacturing employed around 15 million people, making it one of the larger sectors at the time', which are error-free. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the control over verb tenses and sentence variety is impressive. There are no grammatical errors that impede communication, and the majority of your sentences are sophisticated and well-constructed.

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