Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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)

The line graph illustrates the number of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, manufacturing provided the highest number of jobs at the beginning of the period, but its figure declined after 1980. In contrast, employment in retail and healthcare increased considerably. Agriculture was the only sector to show a general decline.

In 1960, there were about 15 million jobs in manufacturing. This figure rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before falling to 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Retail employment, on the other hand, increased steadily from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000. It then reached approximately 16 million in 2020.

Healthcare had the strongest growth, rising from only 2 million jobs in 1960 to 5 million in 1980, 11 million in 2000 and 16 million in 2020. Finally, agriculture fell from 6 million to just 2 million jobs over the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have identified the main features, such as the peak in manufacturing and the significant growth in healthcare and retail. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the trends. You have made relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the decline in manufacturing and agriculture with the growth in other sectors. The data is accurately reported, and the structure is logical, moving from the overview to specific details. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant trends rather than just listing data points for every year.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'on the other hand', and 'Finally' helps the reader follow the narrative smoothly. The paragraphing is logical, separating the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow between sentences is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking. The structure is highly effective for an Academic Task 1 report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Phrases like 'declined after 1980', 'increased steadily', and 'strongest growth' are appropriate and accurate. You demonstrate an awareness of collocation and style suitable for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or varied lexical items to describe trends, such as 'surged', 'plummeted', or 'fluctuated', where appropriate, to show a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good control of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'This figure rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before falling to 17 million in 2000'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To move into the higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more passive voice constructions or advanced subordinating conjunctions to further enhance the sophistication of your writing.

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