Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The line graph illustrates the percentage of employed people working in four sectors of the US economy from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, manufacturing was the largest employment sector at the beginning of the period. It increased initially before declining gradually towards 2020. Retail and healthcare, by contrast, experienced significant growth, while agriculture showed an overall downward trend and became the smallest sector by the end of the period.

Looking at the chart in greater detail, manufacturing accounted for 15% of employment in 1960 and rose to a peak of 20% in 1980. Subsequently, the figure declined steadily, reaching approximately 16% by 2020. Retail and agriculture both started at around 6% in 1960, but they followed contrasting trends over the period. Retail experienced continuous growth and reached just over 15% by the end of 2020.

In contrast, the proportion of people employed in agriculture fell to below 5% over the following two decades. It then remained relatively stable for another twenty years before declining further to just 2% in 2020. Healthcare, meanwhile, started at only 2% but increased steadily throughout the period, eventually reaching approximately 16% in 2020 and becoming the joint-largest sector alongside manufacturing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response covers all parts of the task well and provides a clear overview of the main trends. The student successfully identifies and highlights key features, such as manufacturing starting as the largest sector, the significant growth in retail and healthcare, and the downward trend in agriculture. Data points are appropriately selected to support the descriptions, for instance, noting that manufacturing peaked at 20% in 1980 and healthcare reached approximately 16% in 2020. Comparisons are made effectively across the sectors throughout the period. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement, demonstrating a well-developed summary that addresses the prompt fully and accurately without any major omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The report shows a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is coherently structured with a logical flow from the introductory overview paragraph into specific details in the body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the different sectors logically. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and effectively, such as 'Overall', 'by contrast', 'Looking at the chart in greater detail', 'Subsequently', and 'In contrast'. Referencing is clear and unambiguous throughout the text. The only minor limitation preventing a higher band is that occasional cohesive links feel slightly standard rather than entirely seamless, but overall the management of cohesion and logical sequencing is very strong.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for this task. Less common and precise items related to data reporting are used effectively, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuated', 'downward trend', 'continual growth', and 'joint-largest'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, with phrases like 'experienced significant growth' and 'reached a peak' demonstrating good control. There are no noticeable spelling or word choice errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is fluent and flexible, it occasionally relies on standard graph-describing terminology rather than highly sophisticated or nuanced uncommon lexical items, which aligns comfortably with a Band 7.5 to 8.0 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple and complex sentences. The student demonstrates good control over complex forms, including subordinate clauses ('while agriculture showed an overall downward trend', 'as manufacturing accounted for'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled well. There are very occasional minor slips or slightly awkward phrasings, but these do not impede communication or affect the overall high accuracy level. The control of tense and time markers (e.g., 'between 1960 and 2020', 'reached', 'fell') is consistently accurate throughout the report.

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