Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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 illustrates the trajectory of the number of jobs across different sectors of the economy in the US over a 60-year timeframe, spanning from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is immediately apparent that while jobs in retail and the healthcare sector underwent an upward trajectory throughout the surveyed period**, the** figure for manufacturing jobs experienced a marked decline. Furthermore, agricultural jobs remained relatively stable for most of the timeframe.

Looking at the details in detail, in 1960, the figure for healthcare commenced at two million jobs before climbing steadily to reach a peak of 16 million jobs in 2020. In sharp contrast, retail positions escalated significantly over the period, matching this upward trend.

Conversely, a disparate trend was observed in manufacturing jobs. Its initial value stood at 15 million in 1960, after which it plunged to 13 million by 2020. Subsequently, the agricultural sector experienced a slight decline, falling from 5 million to 2 million jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear overview of the main trends shown in the graph and making relevant comparisons across the four sectors between 1960 and 2020. Key features, such as the significant growth in healthcare and retail alongside the decline in manufacturing and the relative stability in agriculture, are correctly highlighted. The response presents a clear and logical summary without significant omissions, aligning well with the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear overall progression from the introduction to the overview and detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Conversely', and 'Subsequently' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the general trends from specific data points, resulting in a cohesive structure that meets the standards for a Band 7.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, using terms such as 'trajectory', 'marked decline', 'escalated significantly', and 'disparate trend'. While there is a slight repetition of the phrase 'figure for', the lexical choices are generally accurate and allow for precise reporting of statistical trends, supporting a solid Band 7 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as 'while jobs in retail and the healthcare sector underwent an upward trajectory... the figure for manufacturing jobs experienced a marked decline.' Grammatical control is generally strong, with a high proportion of error-free sentences. Minor stylistic slips, such as the slightly redundant phrase 'in the details in detail', do not impede communication, earning a Band 7.5.

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.