Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 provided chart delineates the shift in the number of jobs in four divisions of the economy across the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is manifest that while healthcare and retail experienced an upward trajectory, manufacturing and agriculture underwent a significant decline, hitting their lowest points in 2020.

In detail, looking at the initial figures in 1960, the metric for healthcare and retail stood at around 2.5% and 6% respectively, whereupon it experienced a sharp escalation, climbing to reach almost 11% and 14% respectively in 2000. Subsequently, this figure plateaued for the remainder of the decade before both finishing at a high of 16% at the close of the period.

Conversely, a starkly opposite pattern was observed regarding manufacturing and agriculture. Initially starting at a commanding 15% and almost 6% respectively, their numbers plummeted progressively throughout the period. Although there were marginal fluctuations between 1960 and 1980, the trend culminated in a final drop, with figures leveling off at a negligible 3% (or lower) and almost 2% in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. The comparison between the growing sectors (healthcare and retail) and the declining sectors (manufacturing and agriculture) is well-structured. You have selected key data points, such as the starting figures in 1960 and the final figures in 2020, to support your description. The information is accurate and covers all parts of the prompt effectively. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully supported by the data provided in the graph, as some of your descriptions of the 'plateau' phase could be more precisely linked to the specific years shown on the axis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two distinct body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the growth sectors to the declining ones. You have used a good range of cohesive devices such as 'conversely', 'subsequently', and 'while', which help guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different trends. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is consistently clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'delineates', 'manifest', 'upward trajectory', and 'negligible'. The use of these less common lexical items is natural and accurate, which enhances the academic tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The range is sufficient to convey the information with precision and flexibility. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms for trends and movements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('looking at the initial figures') and subordinate clauses ('while healthcare and retail experienced...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The structures used are varied and demonstrate a high level of accuracy, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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