Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07
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, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs for most of the period, although its figure declined after 1980. In contrast, employment in retail and healthcare increased considerably, while agriculture experienced a gradual decrease. By 2020, retail and healthcare had become the largest employers.
In 1960, manufacturing provided approximately 15 million jobs, compared with around 6 million in both retail and agriculture. Healthcare had the fewest jobs, at only 2 million. By 1980, manufacturing employment had risen to a peak of 20 million, while retail doubled to 10 million. During the same period, healthcare increased to 5 million, whereas agriculture fell to about 3 million.
From 1980 onwards, manufacturing declined steadily, reaching approximately 17 million jobs in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Retail, however, continued to grow, reaching 15 million in 2000 and around 16 million by 2020. Healthcare also saw a significant rise, from 5 million jobs in 1980 to 11 million in 2000 and approximately 16 million in 2020. Agriculture remained relatively stable at around 3 million jobs in 1980 and 2000 before falling to 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all four sectors and provided a clear overview of the main trends, including the shift in dominance from manufacturing to retail and healthcare. The data is accurately selected and compared throughout the report. You have highlighted key features, such as the peak of manufacturing in 1980 and the steady growth of the service sectors, which demonstrates a strong ability to synthesize information. The response is well-structured and fully addresses the requirements of the prompt, providing a comprehensive summary of the provided graph.
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 breakdown of the data. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'During the same period', and 'From 1980 onwards', which help guide the reader through the information smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods and trends. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this area.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing trends, such as 'declined steadily', 'experienced a gradual decrease', and 'remained relatively stable'. The terminology is precise and fits the context of economic data well. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. However, the current range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and effectively without any errors in word choice or collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The grammar is highly accurate throughout the text. You have demonstrated a good command of complex sentence structures, such as using participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'compared with around 6 million in both retail and agriculture'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, which is indicative of a high level of proficiency.
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