Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03
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 compares the number of jobs in four economic sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020. The sectors are manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare.
Overall, the number of jobs in healthcare and retail increased significantly over the 60-year period, while manufacturing and agriculture saw a decline after initial growth. By 2020, healthcare became the largest employer.
In 1960, manufacturing was the leading sector with around 15 million jobs. It rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before falling steadily to about 13 million in 2020. Similarly, agriculture started with 2 million jobs in 1960, increased slightly to 3 million in 1980, and then dropped back to 2 million by 2020.
In contrast, retail jobs grew consistently from 6 million in 1960 to 16 million in 2020. The most dramatic change was in healthcare. It had the fewest jobs in 1960 at just 5 million, but experienced steady growth throughout, reaching approximately 17 million in 2020 and overtaking all other sectors.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| 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 features, such as the growth in healthcare and retail versus the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. The overview is concise and highlights the most significant trends, such as healthcare becoming the largest employer by 2020. You have also made relevant comparisons throughout the report, such as contrasting the steady growth of retail with the fluctuations in manufacturing. The data is accurately reported, and the structure is logical, providing a clear summary of the information provided in the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Similarly', and 'before falling steadily', which help the reader follow the logic of the report. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is sequenced logically, moving from the general trends to specific sector data. The flow is smooth and the relationship between the different sectors is clearly articulated.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the trends accurately. Phrases like 'leading sector', 'steady growth', 'dramatic change', and 'overtaking all other sectors' are well-chosen and appropriate for an academic report. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the task. While the range is adequate and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'increased' or 'decreased' (such as 'surged', 'plummeted', or 'fluctuated') could further enhance the lexical variety and demonstrate a higher level of control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'It rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before falling steadily to about 13 million in 2020.' The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you show good control over tense usage, which is crucial for describing historical data. The writing is clear, professional, and grammatically sound throughout.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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