Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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 8.5)

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 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You accurately selected key features, such as the peak of the Manufacturing sector and the significant growth in Healthcare. The comparisons between sectors are well-integrated, particularly the observation that Healthcare and Retail overtook Manufacturing. The data is used effectively to support the description, and all parts of the prompt are addressed comprehensively. The information is accurate and the summary is well-structured, meeting all the requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving logically from the general trends to specific sector details. Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'In contrast', and 'However' are used naturally and accurately to signal shifts in the narrative. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sectors, ensuring the reader can follow the analysis without difficulty. The flow of information is coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a strong command of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'upward trajectories', 'contracted', 'uninterrupted expansion', and 'diminished'. The language is sophisticated and fits the academic context of the task perfectly. There is a good range of vocabulary used with flexibility and precision, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The use of topic-specific language is natural and contributes to the clarity of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The control over grammar is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy.

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