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 the number of jobs, measured in millions, in four sectors of the US economy—manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare—between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, manufacturing employed the largest number of people at the beginning of the period, but its figures declined after reaching a peak in 1980. By contrast, retail and healthcare experienced substantial growth, with healthcare recording the most dramatic increase. Agriculture was the only sector to show an overall decline.
In 1960, manufacturing accounted for approximately 15 million jobs, considerably more than the other sectors. This figure rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before falling steadily to 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Retail, meanwhile, increased consistently from around 6 million jobs in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000, eventually reaching approximately 16 million in 2020.
Healthcare followed an even more pronounced upward trajectory. Starting at just 2 million jobs in 1960, employment in this sector climbed to 5 million in 1980, then more than doubled to 11 million in 2000, before reaching 16 million by 2020. Agriculture, in contrast, fell from roughly 6 million jobs in 1960 to 3 million in 1980, remained stable at this level in 2000, and declined further to only 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. The selection of key features, such as the peak in manufacturing and the dramatic rise in healthcare, is accurate and well-supported by the data provided. Comparisons between sectors are made effectively throughout the report, ensuring the reader understands the relative changes over the 60-year period. The information is logically presented, and the summary is comprehensive without being cluttered.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-structured and easy to follow. Each paragraph has a clear focus, moving logically from the overview to the specific details of the sectors. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'By contrast', 'meanwhile', and 'in contrast', which help to guide the reader through the comparisons. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general trends from the specific data points. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive phrasing.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for an academic report. Phrases like 'pronounced upward trajectory', 'substantial growth', and 'accounted for' show a high level of lexical control. The use of terminology is accurate and contextually appropriate. While the vocabulary is strong, there is room to incorporate even more sophisticated collocations or nuanced reporting verbs to reach the highest band, but the current range is more than sufficient for a high score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used throughout the text. You have successfully employed subordinate clauses and comparative structures without error. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and sentence structure is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.
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