Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The line graph illustrates how employment levels (in millions) evolved across four US economic sectors — Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, and Healthcare — between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, the data reveals a structural economic shift: Manufacturing declined after peaking in 1980, while Healthcare and Retail grew steadily, with Agriculture remaining minimal and stable post-1980.

In 1960, Manufacturing employed 15 million workers — the highest of all sectors — rising to 20 million by 1980 before falling sharply to 13 million by 2020. Conversely, Healthcare started at only 2 million but surged dramatically after 1980, reaching 16 million — an eightfold increase — effectively matching Retail, which climbed consistently from 6 million to 16 million over the period. Agriculture, meanwhile, dropped from 6 million to 3 million by 1980 and then plateaued, showing no significant change thereafter.

This trend underscores a pronounced transition from industrial to service-oriented employment, accentuating the burgeoning dominance of Healthcare and Retail, juxtaposed with the contraction of traditional sectors

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the graph, including the peak of Manufacturing, the steady growth of Healthcare and Retail, and the relative stability of Agriculture. Your overview clearly captures the structural shift in the US economy, which is a requirement for a high band score. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as contrasting the decline of Manufacturing with the rise of service-oriented sectors. The data is accurately reported, and the response is well-structured to highlight the main trends without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. This is a comprehensive and well-developed summary that fully addresses the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a standard structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, such as 'Conversely,' 'meanwhile,' and 'juxtaposed with.' Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the relationship between the different economic sectors is clearly articulated. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. The use of terms like 'structural economic shift,' 'surged dramatically,' 'plateaued,' and 'burgeoning dominance' shows a high level of lexical control. Your word choices are precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no spelling errors, and collocations are used correctly throughout the text. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contributes to the formal and analytical tone required for Task 1. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms to describe trends and changes in the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used effectively. You have successfully employed participial phrases ('juxtaposed with the contraction...') and varied sentence lengths to maintain interest. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled with precision. There is a good balance between simple and complex sentence forms, which enhances the readability of the report. You have demonstrated a strong command of tense usage, particularly when describing historical trends and changes over the specified period. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication.

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

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