Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The multi-line chart illustrates data regarding the number of occupations in four different economic sectors in the United States, over a period of 60 years, from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that while manufacturing initially provided the highest number of jobs, it eventually experienced a decline. Conversely, the retail and healthcare sectors saw significant growth throughout the period. Furthermore, agriculture was the only sector that witnessed a continuous drop in employment opportunities.

Looking at the line chart in detail, manufacturing started with 15 million jobs in 1960 and hit a peak of 20 million opportunities in 1980. However, with the passage of time, it saw a dramatic plunge, ending at approximately 13 million jobs by 2020. Similarly, agriculture began at around 6 million jobs—the exact same starting point as retail. Nevertheless, it went in a downward direction, dropping to roughly 3 million by 1980, and remained stable at that low level until the end of the timeframe.

In contrast, retail and healthcare were the only sectors that saw a gradual and continuous increase in jobs. Retail began with 6 million jobs, while healthcare started as the lowest sector with just 2 million. Over the years, both sectors surged significantly. Consequently, by 2020, they reached the same position, each providing nearly 16 million jobs and surpassing manufacturing to become the top sectors in the US economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have provided a clear and accurate summary of the main trends in the graph. You successfully identified the key features, such as the decline in manufacturing and agriculture, and the significant growth in retail and healthcare. The comparison between sectors is well-handled, particularly the observation that retail and healthcare converged by 2020. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the most significant changes over the 60-year period. All parts of the task are addressed, and the data is used accurately to support your descriptions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'conversely', 'furthermore', 'however', and 'consequently' to link your points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different trends. The flow of information is natural, and the referencing between sentences is clear, making the report easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a data-reporting task. Phrases like 'dramatic plunge', 'witnessed a continuous drop', and 'surged significantly' show a good command of descriptive language. There is a clear attempt to use less common items, and your word choice is generally precise. While the vocabulary is effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations related to economic trends could elevate the response further. There are no spelling errors, and the language used is consistently accurate and suitable for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You demonstrate control over tense usage, consistently using the past tense to describe historical data. Punctuation is accurate, and there are very few errors. Most sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication at all. You have successfully used complex structures, such as 'while manufacturing initially provided... it eventually experienced...', which adds variety to your writing and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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