Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16

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 graph displays the number of jobs that existed in four distinct sectors of employment, contributing to the economy of US between 1960 and 2020.

In 1960, manufacturing had 15 million jobs. The numbers increased to 20 million in 1980, making it the highest figure on the chart. A gradual declining trend was observed for the following years, making the numbers drop as low as approximately 13 million. Employment in retail was the second largest category providing jobs, with 6 million jobs in 1960. Moreover, the figures witnessed a dramatic rise from 10 million in 1980 to 15 million in 2000. With a slight increment in the following year, made the final figure close to 16 million in 2020.

Agriculture has the same number of jobs as retail in 1960. However, unlike the trend for retail jobs, the trajectory for the agricultural employment drastically decreased, from 6 million in 1960 to less than 4 million by 1980. Moreover, there was a steady decline in the following years, which led to the final figure of 2 million jobs in 2020. The Healthcare sector had the least number of jobs in 1960, at just over 2 million. However, with a remarkable increase in its demand, the numbers rose to 5 million in 1980 and over 10 million in 2000, with finally reaching a peak of over 15 million jobs in 2020.

Overall, the manufacturing sector was the largest employment hub in the initial years, which declined considerably by 2020. However, jobs in retail and healthcare experienced a remarkable rise over time, while the exact opposite was observed for the agricultural sector.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies and reports the main features of the graph. You have successfully highlighted the key trends for all four sectors and made relevant comparisons, such as noting that agriculture and retail started at the same point in 1960 but followed divergent paths. The overview paragraph provides a clear summary of the major shifts. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with maximum precision; for instance, stating 'the numbers drop as low as approximately 13 million' is good, but ensure that all specific figures mentioned are consistently accurate to the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors, and a concluding overview. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you make good use of cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moreover', and 'in the following years' to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section focusing on a coherent theme. The flow is natural, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'gradual declining trend', 'dramatic rise', and 'employment hub' are used effectively. There is some awareness of style and collocation, which helps in describing the trends accurately. While the vocabulary is generally appropriate, there are minor instances where word choice could be more sophisticated or varied to avoid repetition. Overall, the range is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of the data trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as 'With a slight increment in the following year, made the final figure...', where the sentence structure is slightly awkward and lacks a clear subject. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the variety of structures used contributes to a fluent reading experience.

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