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 changes in employment figures across four economic sectors in the United States, Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and Agriculture from 1960 to 2020, measured in millions of jobs.

Overall, Healthcare and Retail experienced consistent upward trajectories throughout the 60-year period, with Healthcare exhibiting the most dramatic rise. Conversely, Manufacturing saw initial growth before experiencing a steady decline, while Agriculture remained the smallest employer with a slight downward drift.

In 1960, Manufacturing was by far the largest provider of jobs at 15 million, peaking at 20 million in 1980. However, this sector subsequently contracted, dropping to 17 million in 2000 and eventually falling to 13 million by 2020. In contrast, Retail started at 6 million in 1960 and climbed steadily over the decades, overtaking Manufacturing around 2015 to reach 16 million by the end of the timeframe.

Healthcare began as the smallest sector in 1960 alongside Agriculture, offering only 2 million jobs in 1960. Over the following six decades, Healthcare witnessed substantial and uninterrupted expension, matching Manufacturing at approximately 14 million jobs in 2015 and concluding at 16 million in 2020. Conversely, Agriculture started at 6 million jobs in 1960, dipped sharply to 3 million in 1980, and then slowly diminished to finish at just under 2 million in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student provides a clear and well-structured overview of the main trends shown in the graph. All four economic sectors—Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, and Agriculture—are addressed across the specified timeframe from 1960 to 2020. The response effectively highlights key features and makes relevant comparisons, such as noting that Healthcare experienced the most dramatic rise while Manufacturing saw an initial peak followed by a steady decline. Data points are accurately cited to support the descriptions, for instance, pointing out that Manufacturing peaked at 20 million in 1980 and that Retail reached 16 million by 2020. The task is fully and successfully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from a general overview into specific sector-by-sector details. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with an introductory paragraph, an overall trend paragraph, and well-organized body paragraphs that group related data together. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Conversely', 'However', and 'In contrast' are managed skillfully to show relationships between the different economic sectors. Referencing is clear throughout, ensuring the text is easy to follow and cohesive without being repetitive.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common and precise items are used skillfully, such as 'upward trajectories', 'exhibiting the most dramatic rise', 'contracted', and 'uninterrupted expansion'. There is only a single noticeable typographical error ('expension' instead of 'expansion'), which represents an isolated inaccuracy rather than a systematic weakness. Word choice and collocations are generally natural and sophisticated, easily meeting the expectations of a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing features a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating strong control over subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and chronological markers. Minor slips, such as the accidental repetition of the phrase 'offering only 2 million jobs in 1960' in the final paragraph, do not impede communication or detract significantly from the overall control of grammar and punctuation displayed throughout the text.

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