Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25
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 graph illustrates that how many jobs are there in between 1960 and 2020 in all four sectors of the US economy.
Overall, the number of jobs in the service sector increased dramatically and became the largest source of employment by the end of the period. In contrast, employment in agriculture declined considerably, while the figures for manufacturing and construction showed more moderate changes.
In 1960, agriculture accounted for a significant proportion of employment, with approximately 6 million jobs. However, this figure fell steadily throughout the period, reaching only around 2 million by 2020. Manufacturing, on the other hand, started at approximately 12 million jobs and increased gradually, reaching a peak of about 20 million before declining towards the end of the period.
Construction followed a relatively stable pattern compared with the other sectors. The number of jobs increased from roughly 5 million in 1960 to around 10 million in 2020, despite some fluctuations. The most striking growth occurred in the service sector. Starting at approximately 10 million jobs in 1960, employment in this sector rose consistently and reached around 60 million by 2020, making it by far the largest employment sector in the US.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main trends, such as the dramatic rise in the service sector and the decline in agriculture. The overview is well-constructed, providing a clear summary of the key features. You have also made relevant comparisons between the sectors, such as contrasting the stability of construction with the growth of services. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of information is appropriate for a summary. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are fully integrated into the narrative flow to avoid any potential for over-generalisation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information effectively. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'on the other hand', which help guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used skilfully to separate the different trends, ensuring a smooth progression of ideas. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural. The structure is coherent throughout, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'accounted for a significant proportion', 'declined considerably', and 'striking growth' demonstrate a good command of academic language. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for a report on data. While the vocabulary is effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations related to economic trends could further enhance the lexical range. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and contributes well to the clarity of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while the figures for...', 'despite some fluctuations'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There is a minor error in the opening sentence ('illustrates that how many jobs are there'), which is slightly awkward; a more natural phrasing would be 'illustrates the number of jobs in...'. However, this is a minor slip and does not impede communication. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text.
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