Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-24

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 line graph illustrates the number of jobs available in four sectors of the US economy between 1960 and 2020, measured in millions.

Overall, the manufacturing sector initially had the highest number of jobs, although this figure declined gradually after reaching a peak in 1980. By contrast, employment in the healthcare and retail sectors increased considerably over the period, while agriculture experienced a continuous decline. By 2020, retail and healthcare had the highest numbers of jobs.

In terms of manufacturing, approximately 15 million jobs were available in 1960. This figure then increased, reaching a peak of around 20 million in 1980. However, the number subsequently declined steadily to approximately 16.5 million in 2000 before falling further to around 13 million by the end of the period.Turning to the retail sector, the number of jobs rose significantly from about 5.5 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980. This upward trend continued over the following decades, reaching approximately 15 million in 2000 and finally 16 million in 2020.

By contrast, agriculture showed the opposite pattern. Starting at around 5.5 million jobs in 1960, the figure fell to approximately 4 million in 1980 and remained relatively stable until 2000. It then declined further to just 2 million jobs in 2020, making it the sector with the lowest level of employment.Finally, the healthcare sector had the fewest jobs initially, at approximately 3 million in 1960. However, this figure increased steadily to 5 million in 1980 and then rose sharply to around 12 million in 2000. By 2020, the number of healthcare jobs had reached approximately 16 million, equal to the figure for the retail sector.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected and reported key data points to support your summary. The comparison between sectors is well-integrated, particularly the observation that healthcare and retail ended at the same level in 2020. The information is accurate, and the selection of data points (peaks, start/end points) is appropriate for a summary task. You have fully met the requirements for an Academic Task 1 response by highlighting the significant shifts in the US economy over the sixty-year period.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and well-structured body paragraphs. Each paragraph focuses on a specific grouping of sectors, which aids readability. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Turning to', and 'However' are used effectively to signal shifts in focus and contrast trends. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is logical. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure allows the reader to follow the data trends without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'declined gradually', 'upward trend', 'remained relatively stable', and 'rose sharply'. The language is precise and fits the context of an economic report. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high-level score. The terminology used to describe the graph is consistently accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('making it the sector with...') and subordinate clauses ('although this figure declined...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is generally handled well, though there is a minor missing space after a period in the final paragraph ('period.Turning'). This is a minor slip and does not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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