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 people employed in four different sectors of the US economy between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, employment in the retail and healthcare sectors increased over the period, whereas the opposite trend was seen in manufacturing and agriculture. Additionally, manufacturing employed the largest number of people until around 2000, after which retail and healthcare became the leading sectors.

In 1960, manufacturing had the highest level of employment, at 15 million people. This figure then peaked at 20 million in 1980 before declining steadily to approximately 13 million by 2020. Agricultural employment stood at around 6 million people in 1960 and declined consistently to approximately 3 million by the end of the period.

Employment in the retail sector was at the same level as agriculture in 1960. However, while agricultural employment decreased, the number of people working in retail increased steadily, reaching roughly 16 million by 2020. Healthcare had the lowest level of employment in 1960, at approximately 2.5 million people. Nevertheless, this figure rose dramatically throughout the period, reaching around 16 million by 2020, the same level as retail.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts 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 the sectors is well-integrated, particularly the observation regarding the crossover in employment numbers around 2000. The data is accurately reported, and the distinction between the declining sectors (manufacturing and agriculture) and the growing sectors (retail and healthcare) is clearly articulated. The response is well-structured and meets all the requirements for a high-band Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with an overview and moving into specific details. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'additionally', 'however', and 'nevertheless' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast trends. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'increased', 'declining steadily', 'rose dramatically', and 'consistently'. The language is precise and natural. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient for the task, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to economic trends could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports clear communication throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'while agricultural employment decreased, the number of people working in retail increased steadily'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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