Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06
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 illustrates the number of jobs in four sectors of the US economy, namely manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare, between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, employment in retail and healthcare increased considerably over the period, whereas agriculture experienced a decline. Manufacturing fluctuated, reaching its highest level in 1980 before falling towards the end of the period.
In 1960, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs, at approximately 15 million. This figure then rose to 20 million in 1980, before declining gradually to 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Agriculture, on the other hand, started at around 6 million jobs and fell to 3 million in 1980. It then remained stable until 2000 before decreasing slightly to approximately 2 million in 2020.
Retail employment increased steadily throughout the period. It rose from about 6 million jobs in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and then reached 15 million in 2000. By 2020, the figure had increased slightly to around 16 million. Healthcare showed the most significant growth, rising from just 2 million jobs in 1960 to 5 million in 1980, 11 million in 2000 and approximately 16 million in 2020. Thus, by the end of the period, retail and healthcare had the same number of jobs.
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 provided a clear overview of the main trends and supported these with accurate data points from the graph. The selection of features is logical, highlighting the growth in retail and healthcare alongside the decline in agriculture and the fluctuations in manufacturing. You successfully made comparisons, such as noting that retail and healthcare reached the same level by the end of the period. The information is well-selected and provides a comprehensive summary of the provided data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'on the other hand', and 'thus' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast trends. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the report easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and referencing is clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends accurately, such as 'fluctuated', 'declining gradually', and 'increased steadily'. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common synonyms to demonstrate a wider range. However, the current usage is natural and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.
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 'Manufacturing fluctuated, reaching its highest level in 1980 before falling towards the end of the period.' The punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. The writing is clear and professional.
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