Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 7.0)

This graph analyses the number of jobs in different sectors of the US economy between the years 1960 and 2020.

The Manufacturing sector had the most number of jobs in 1960, counting to a total of 15 million job, followed by Retail and Agriculture sectors, both of which produced around 6 million jobs each. The Healthcare sector, however, began at almost 2.5 million jobs and according to reports increased significantly in number over the next six decades.

Number of posts offered by the Manufacturing sector peaked in 1980 at a whooping 20 million. Retail and Healthcare sector improved to 10 million and 5 million jobs respectively whereas the number of jobs in the Agriculture Sector started to majorly decline leading it to its lowest point in 2020 at about 2 million. The manufacturing sector also started to face a reduction in jobs from 1980 to 2020, from 20 million to only around 13 million by 2020. Nevertheless, the Healthcare and Retail Sector steadily increased to their maximum points of about 16 million jobs each.

Overall, the graph shows the significant increase in number of jobs in retail and healthcare over these six decades but also depicts the loss in the Agricultural sector. The Manufacturing sector despite losing jobs overtime still managed to hold on average the greatest number of jobs than in any other sector of the United States economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all key features of the graph, including the trends for all four sectors. You have successfully identified the starting points, the peak for manufacturing, and the final figures for 2020. The overview is clear and highlights the main trends, such as the growth in healthcare and retail versus the decline in agriculture. However, the analysis could be improved by ensuring more precise comparisons between sectors at specific time intervals. For instance, stating that manufacturing held the greatest number of jobs on average is a good summary, but the data points could be integrated more fluidly to support this claim. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial data from the subsequent trends. Cohesive devices such as 'however', 'whereas', and 'nevertheless' are used to link ideas, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of information is generally smooth, moving from the initial state to the changes over time. To reach a higher band, ensure that referencing is always precise and that the flow between sentences feels more natural rather than relying on standard linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information clearly. Phrases like 'majorly decline', 'peaked', and 'steadily increased' are appropriate for a task of this nature. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'counting to a total of' (should be 'amounting to') and 'whooping' (should be 'whopping'). Additionally, 'on average' is used slightly inaccurately in the conclusion. While these errors do not impede communication, refining your use of academic collocations would enhance the precision of your report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as '15 million job' (should be 'jobs') and 'the greatest number of jobs than in any other sector' (should be 'greater than in any other sector'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding the data. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparative structures. The majority of your sentences are clear, but more consistent control over complex grammar would elevate the score.

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