Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The line chart displays data related to the number of jobs in four categories of the economy in America from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, the number of jobs in healthcare and retail increased substantially during the given period, with the two sectors ranking highest in the ending year, while the number of jobs in manufacturing and agriculture decreased significantly.
In the retail sector, the number of jobs rose consistently from just over 5 million in 1960 to around 15 million in 2020. When it comes to healthcare, the trend was similar to that in retail. In the starting year, it was the lowest compared to other categories, at around 3 million in 1960, and ended at the same figure as retail, which was the highest in 2020.
Between 1960 and 1980, the number of jobs in manufacturing went up significantly from 15 million to 20 million, and then continuously dropped to around 13 million in 2020. The number of jobs in the agriculture sector was approximately 6 million at the starting point and declined steadily year on year, ending at around 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively summarizes the main features of the line chart, pointing out the significant increases in healthcare and retail jobs, as well as the declines in manufacturing and agriculture. It includes relevant comparisons between sectors, noting specific figures and trends over time. However, the introduction might benefit from a clearer mention of the specific years of observation (1960 and 2020) in the overview to make it even more concise. Overall, Task Achievement is strong.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is generally coherent and well-organized, with smooth transitions between different sectors of the economy. The use of cohesive devices like 'Overall,' 'When it comes to,' and 'Between 1960 and 1980' aids in guiding the reader through the analysis. However, slight improvements could be made in varying connective phrases to avoid repetition. Overall, coherence and cohesion are quite solid.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The lexical resource is good, with appropriate terms such as 'substantially,' 'steadily,' and 'significantly.' However, some vocabulary choices could be improved to increase precision, especially in relation to data visualization language. Words like 'substantially' and 'consistently' are well-placed, but a few comparisons could benefit from stronger adjectives. Overall, the range of vocabulary is suitable for an academic response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
Grammatical range and accuracy are commendable, with correctly structured sentences and appropriate use of tenses. The student demonstrates the ability to use complex and compound sentences. Errors are minimal and do not impede understanding. However, there could be more varied sentence structures to demonstrate higher complexity. Overall, grammar is strong, showing a solid command of the language, though there is room for enhancement in complexity.
Overall feedback
This response demonstrates a clear understanding of the task and presents relevant details effectively. The overall structure supports the logical flow of information, and the use of data is appropriate and accurate. To improve, consider varying your vocabulary further to demonstrate a wider lexical range. Additionally, incorporating more transitions and connective phrases could enhance the cohesion throughout the text. Lastly, focusing on varied sentence structures could showcase your grammatical abilities more effectively and elevate your score in that criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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