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 shows changes in employment numbers across four sectors of the US economy over a period of sixty years, from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, healthcare experienced the most significant growth, while agriculture saw a sharp decline. Manufacturing and retail remained relatively stable until the 1990s, after which they showed opposite trends.

In 1960, manufacturing and retail had the highest jobs, with around 12 million and 10 million respectively. Agriculture started at about 5 million. Over the next two decades, manufacturing grew steadily and peaked at nearly 18 million in 1990. In contrast, agriculture dropped to around 4 million by 2000, while retail stayed fairly constant between 10 and 12 million.

The most dramatic change was in healthcare, starting at under 4 million in 1960. This sector grew continuously and overtook others, reaching roughly 18 million by 2020. Manufacturing, however, declined sharply after 1990 and fell to about 12 million by the end. Retail dropped slightly to 10 million, while agriculture continued falling and ended at only 2 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected key data points to support your summary. The comparison between sectors is well-integrated, particularly the contrast between the growth of healthcare and the decline of agriculture. The information is accurate and covers the entire period from 1960 to 2020. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most significant 'turning points' or intersections in the data, such as the specific decade where healthcare surpassed manufacturing, to provide a more analytical perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively by sector and trend. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'however', and 'while' are used appropriately to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used skilfully to separate the initial state from the subsequent developments. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall purpose of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information precisely, such as 'experienced the most significant growth', 'remained relatively stable', and 'declined sharply'. The terminology is appropriate 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 collocations or less common lexical items related to trends and data analysis, such as 'a marginal fluctuation' or 'a pronounced downward trajectory', to demonstrate a more flexible and precise command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. You have successfully used comparative structures and time-based clauses to describe the data. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To improve further, try to vary your sentence beginnings and incorporate more advanced structures, such as participle clauses (e.g., 'Starting at under 4 million, the healthcare sector grew...'), to show greater flexibility in your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.