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)

This line graph illustrates the number of jobs represented in four economic sectors in the United States from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the graph compares four sectors—manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare—by the number of jobs, measured in millions, and shows how this figure changed between 1960 and 2020. It is noticeable that the number of jobs increased in the retail and healthcare sectors, while it declined in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

The manufacturing sector had the highest number of jobs, with 15 million in 1960. This figure then increased to 20 million in 1980 before declining continuously until 2020, when it reached around 13 million jobs. The retail sector experienced a significant increase between 1960 and 2020, rising from around 6 million jobs to approximately 16 million. Similarly, employment in the healthcare sector increased considerably during the same period, from about 2 million jobs to around 16 million.

However, the agriculture sector experienced the largest decline. It started at around 6 million jobs in 1960 and decreased steadily to approximately 2 million in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the trends and selected key features to highlight, such as the contrasting growth in retail and healthcare versus the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between sectors is well-integrated. To reach a higher band, you could further synthesize the data by grouping the sectors more explicitly in the overview or by identifying specific points of intersection where the number of jobs in different sectors became equal, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of data analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'However', and 'This figure then' is effective and natural. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from the introduction to the body paragraphs. The structure is coherent throughout, and the referencing is clear, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparison between the four sectors over the sixty-year period.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Phrases like 'declining continuously', 'experienced a significant increase', and 'decreased steadily' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language suitable for a graph report. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate, it is largely functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more varied and precise collocations or synonyms to describe trends, such as 'witnessed a sharp upward trajectory' or 'underwent a gradual contraction', which would add more sophistication to your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('rising from...') and subordinate clauses ('when it reached...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of information. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To improve further, ensure that you continue to vary your sentence beginnings and structures to maintain the reader's interest and demonstrate full control over complex grammatical forms.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.