Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)
The line chart illustrates job availability across four economic sectors—manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare—in the United States from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, healthcare and retail experienced continuous growth in job availability throughout the 60-year period, with both sectors eventually tied for the highest number of jobs. Conversely, manufacturing underwent a rise followed by a prolonged decline, while agricultural employment fell continuously over the given timeline.
In 1960, manufacturing was the dominant sector, offering 15 million jobs. This figure peaked at 20 million in 1980 before steadily declining to 13 million by 2020. Conversely, the agricultural sector recorded 6 million jobs in 1960, which shrank continuously over six decades to reach a low of just 2 million in 2020.
Healthcare initially registered the lowest job count in 1960 at 2 million, while retail started at 6 million. Both industries grew steadily in tandem: by 1980, healthcare had expanded to 5 million jobs and retail to 10 million. Growth persisted over the next twenty years, reaching 11 million in healthcare and 15 million in retail by 2000. By 2020, both sectors reached a peak of 16 million jobs each, surpassing manufacturing to become the primary job providers in the nation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview that captures the main trends, such as the growth in healthcare and retail versus the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. The data is well-selected, and you have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as noting that healthcare and retail surpassed manufacturing by 2020. The information is accurate and well-supported by the figures provided in the prompt. There is a logical progression from the general trends to specific data points, ensuring the reader gets a comprehensive summary of the graph's information.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear structure. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific sectors. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'while', and 'by 2020' effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is skillful, and the progression of information is smooth and easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; the flow is natural and professional.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'job availability', 'underwent a rise', 'prolonged decline', and 'expanded in tandem' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is used accurately and fits the context of describing economic trends perfectly. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are sophisticated, contributing to a professional tone. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms for growth and decline, which enhances the readability of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'Healthcare initially registered the lowest job count in 1960 at 2 million, while retail started at 6 million.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. The control over verb tenses (past simple for historical data) is consistent and correct. There are no noticeable grammatical slips, and the writing is fluent and precise throughout the entire response.
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