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 chart illustrates data about the number of employed people in four sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, manufacturing was the leading sector at the beginning, which climbed for some time, then steadily dropped. Healthcare and retail showed almost the same trend. Nevertheless, agriculture failed to show any upward trajectory.

Looking at the chart, manufacturing started at 15% in 1960 and reached the top value of 20% in 1980. Subsequently, it dropped to 16% by 2020. On the other hand, retail and agriculture, both commenced at the same point of almost 6% but moved in opposite directions over the period. Retail depicted a continuous uptrend and culminated above 15% by the end of 2020.

Contrary to this, agriculture declined to less than 5% in two decades. It leveled off for the next twenty years and again declined to 2% by the end of the duration. However, starting from 2%, healthcare surged steadily to the top of the chart joining retail at 16% by the end of the second decade of the 21st century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. The overview effectively captures the general trends, such as manufacturing peaking and then dropping, while healthcare and retail showed upward trajectories and agriculture declined. Key data points, such as manufacturing starting at 15% in 1960 and reaching 20% in 1980, are accurately selected and reported. The information is well-selected to give a clear and comprehensive summary of the visual data without missing major trends, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Ideas are structured with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs that handle different sectors. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Contrary to this', and 'Subsequently' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used effectively, ensuring that distinct trends are separated logically. While cohesion is well managed, it occasionally leans slightly on standard structural transitions, keeping it just shy of the highest descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic task reporting. Phrases such as 'upward trajectory', 'continuous uptrend', 'surged steadily', and 'leveled off' show an awareness of collocation and style appropriate for describing trends. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses in phrasing, such as 'joined retail at 16% by the end of the second decade of the 21st century' (which awkwardly circumlocutes the year 2020), but vocabulary choice is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The text displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including participial phrases and subordinate clauses, such as 'Contrary to this, agriculture declined to less than 5% in two decades' and 'Retail depicted a continuous uptrend and culminated above 15% by the end of 2020.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Minor errors or slightly clumsy phrasing are very rare, demonstrating sound command over both simple and complex grammatical forms.

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