Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The line graph illustrates the changes in employment figures across four economic sectors in the United States: Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and Agriculture from 1960 to 2020, measured in millions of jobs.

Overall, Healthcare and Retail experienced consistent upward trajectories throughout the 60-year period, with Healthcare exhibiting the most dramatic rise. Conversely, Manufacturing saw initial growth before experiencing a steady decline, while Agriculture remained the smallest employer with a slight downward drift.

In 1960, Manufacturing was by far the largest provider of jobs at 15 million, peaking at 20 million in 1980. However, this sector subsequently contracted, dropping to 17 million in 2000 and eventually falling to 13 million by 2020. In contrast, Retail started at 6 million in 1960 and climbed steadily over the decades, overtaking Manufacturing around 2015 to reach 16 million by the end of the timeframe.

Healthcare began as the smallest sector in 1960 alongside Agriculture, offering only 2 million jobs. Over the following six decades, Healthcare witnessed substantial and uninterrupted expansion, matching Manufacturing at approximately 14 million jobs in 2015 and concluding at 16 million in 2020. Conversely, Agriculture started at 6 million jobs in 1960, dipped sharply to 3 million in 1980, and then slowly diminished to finish at just under 2 million in 2020.

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 Healthcare and Retail versus the decline in Manufacturing and Agriculture. The key features are well-selected, and the comparisons between sectors are accurate and relevant. You have effectively used the data to support your descriptions, such as noting when Healthcare matched Manufacturing in 2015. The information is well-organised and provides a comprehensive summary of the provided graph without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, followed by specific details for the sectors. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Conversely', 'In contrast', and 'However', which help the reader follow the comparisons between the different economic sectors. The paragraphing is skilful and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. The flow of information is smooth, and referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'upward trajectories', 'dramatic rise', 'steadily contracted', and 'uninterrupted expansion' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately to describe trends and changes in the data. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey the information with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'Healthcare began as the smallest sector in 1960 alongside Agriculture, offering only 2 million jobs', which are error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are consistently controlled. There is no evidence of grammatical errors that impede communication or cause confusion.

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