Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10

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 the number of jobs, measured in millions, in four sectors of the US economy between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs for most of the period, although it declined considerably after 1980. In contrast, employment in healthcare and retail increased substantially, while agriculture experienced an overall decrease.

In 1960, manufacturing employed around 15 million people, compared with approximately 6 million in retail and 2 million in healthcare. Agriculture stood at about 5 million. By 1980, manufacturing had reached a peak of 20 million jobs, while retail rose to 10 million and healthcare to 5 million. Meanwhile, agriculture fell to around 3 million.

From 1980 onwards, manufacturing declined steadily, reaching about 13 million jobs in 2020. Retail continued to grow, reaching approximately 16 million, while healthcare increased dramatically to the same figure. Agriculture remained stable at around 3 million until 2000 before falling to roughly 2 million in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your summary. The comparison between sectors is well-integrated, and the chronological progression from 1960 to 2020 is logical. You have accurately identified the peak for manufacturing and the contrasting growth in healthcare and retail. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly highlight the most significant 'main features' in the overview, such as the complete reversal of roles between manufacturing and the service sectors by the end of the period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'From 1980 onwards,' which help the reader follow the narrative of the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly between the different time periods. The referencing is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a data-driven task. Phrases such as 'declined considerably,' 'increased substantially,' and 'rose to' are used accurately. You avoid repetition by using varied verbs to describe trends. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it remains within the standard range for this type of task. To move toward a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or nuanced descriptors for the rate of change, such as 'a marginal decline' or 'a pronounced upward trajectory.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. You successfully employ subordinate clauses and comparative structures, such as 'compared with approximately 6 million in retail' and 'while healthcare increased dramatically to the same figure.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The response is error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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