Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-21

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 graph illustrates the changes in numbers of jobs across four economical sectors between 1960 and 2020 in the US.

Overall, the most striking point to note is that employment rates in retail and healthcare increased significantly, while figures for agriculture and manufacturing recorded noticeable declines.

In 1960, manufacturing was a leading sector, with 15 million jobs, which was at least 10 million higher than the figure of any other category. Until 1980, growth in employment rates could be observed for all groups except agriculture, which experienced a decrease by roughly two times. After peaking at 20 million in 1980, the number of jobs in manufacturing started falling consistently, while other sectors followed contrasting trends.

Since 1980, agriculture remained at the bottom of the ranking with almost 2.5 million jobs. Meanwhile, retail and healthcare showed a stable growth in figures, both moving up from the lowest places in ranking to the highest by reaching around 15 million jobs in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview. You successfully highlight the contrasting trajectories of the four sectors, such as the decline in manufacturing and agriculture versus the growth in retail and healthcare. The key features are well-selected, and the comparisons are relevant. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points mentioned are precise; for instance, the claim that agriculture remained at 'almost 2.5 million' should be checked against the visual data to ensure complete accuracy. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a logical selection of information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the body paragraphs detailing specific trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'After peaking at', and 'In 1960' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. The use of referencing is clear, and the structure supports the overall argument without being repetitive or mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Phrases like 'striking point', 'noticeable declines', and 'contrasting trends' are used appropriately. There is an awareness of style suitable for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to economic trends could elevate the score further. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the word choices do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'with 15 million jobs, which was at least 10 million higher than...'. Most sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is generally strong. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'economical sectors' (should be 'economic sectors'), but these do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The grammatical control is consistent, and the variety of structures used is sufficient for this task.

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

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