Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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 8.5)

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 8.5

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the economic shift. You selected key data points—such as the 1980 peak for manufacturing and the subsequent rise of healthcare—to support your summary. The comparison between sectors is well-integrated, and the report covers all parts of the task effectively. There are no omissions, and the information is presented in a logical, analytical manner that fully satisfies the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the detailed body paragraph, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'meanwhile', and 'juxtaposed with' are used naturally and effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is skillful, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next without any mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate 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. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contextually appropriate for an academic report. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is precise and varied throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex structures used with full flexibility and accuracy. You effectively employ participial phrases ('accentuating the burgeoning dominance'), complex sentence structures, and precise punctuation. Every sentence is error-free, and the control over tense and aspect is perfect for describing historical data. The grammatical precision contributes significantly to the clarity and professional tone of the report.

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.