Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28

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 in four sectors of the US economy, namely manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare, between 1960 and 2020. The figures are given in millions.

Overall, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs at the beginning of the period, but its figure declined after reaching a peak in 1980. In contrast, employment in retail and healthcare increased considerably. Agriculture experienced a steady decline and had the fewest jobs by 2020.

In 1960, manufacturing provided approximately 15 million jobs, compared with around 6 million in both retail and agriculture. Manufacturing then rose to a peak of 20 million jobs in 1980 before falling to about 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020.

Retail employment increased steadily from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000, eventually reaching 16 million in 2020. Healthcare also showed substantial growth, rising from about 3 million jobs in 1960 to approximately 16 million by 2020. Meanwhile, agriculture fell continuously from around 6.5 million to just 2.5 million jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main features, such as the peak in manufacturing, the steady growth in retail and healthcare, and the decline in agriculture. The overview provides a clear summary of the trends, and the data is used accurately to support the descriptions. Comparisons are made throughout, such as contrasting the starting figures of manufacturing with those of retail and agriculture. The information is well-selected and presented in a logical manner, meeting all the requirements for a high-scoring response in this category.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'eventually' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the trends. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from a general summary to specific data points. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different sectors, ensuring the information is easy to follow. The structure is coherent and professional throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'declined after reaching a peak', 'experienced a steady decline', and 'showed substantial growth' are precise and well-suited to describing trends. The terminology is accurate, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors. While the vocabulary is effective and clear, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or varied collocations could elevate the response further toward the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Manufacturing then rose to a peak of 20 million jobs in 1980 before falling to about 17 million in 2000'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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