Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31
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 8.0)
The line graph illustrates changes in employment levels across four sectors of the US economy—Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and Agriculture—from 1960 to 2020, measured in millions of jobs.
Overall, the period saw a significant shift away from traditional industries towards service-oriented sectors. While jobs in healthcare and retail experienced steady and substantial growth, manufacturing and agriculture suffered overall declines, with agriculture consistently remaining the lowest employer.
In 1960, manufacturing was by far the largest sector, employing 15 million people. Its job numbers peaked at 20 million in 1980 before undergoing a continuous decline, ending at 12.5 million in 2020. Conversely, agriculture started at 6.5 million jobs in 1960 and steadily decreased over the six-decade period, reaching a low of 2.5 million by 2020.
In contrast, healthcare recorded the lowest initial figure in 1960 at just 2 million jobs. However, it underwent dramatic growth, overtaking agriculture by 1970 and manufacturing by 2010 to end at 16 million in 2020. Retail employment followed a similar upward trajectory, growing steadily from 6 million in 1960 to match healthcare at 16 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
You have provided a very strong response that fully addresses all parts of the task. You successfully identified the main trends, such as the shift from traditional to service-oriented sectors, and provided a clear overview. The key features, including the peak of manufacturing in 1980 and the dramatic growth of healthcare and retail, are well-supported with accurate data from the graph. You made relevant comparisons throughout, such as noting when healthcare overtook other sectors. The response is well-structured and covers all four sectors effectively, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an overview to specific details about the declining and then the growing sectors. You used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Conversely', 'In contrast', and 'However', to signal shifts in the narrative. The paragraphing is skillful, and the information flows naturally from one point to the next without any confusion. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparisons made between the different sectors over the sixty-year period.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the task. Phrases like 'service-oriented sectors', 'upward trajectory', and 'undergoing a continuous decline' show a sophisticated command of language. The word choices are precise and contribute to a professional, academic tone. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied terminology to describe trends and changes in the data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
Your writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high levels of accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'While jobs in healthcare and retail experienced steady and substantial growth, manufacturing and agriculture suffered overall declines,' which demonstrates good control over subordinate clauses. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are handled with flexibility and precision, which is consistent with a high-level performance.
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