Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17

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 compares the data of employment in four different sectors of the economy- manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare in the United Sates of America in 1960 and 2020.

Overall, initially the manufacturing sector dominated the economy but later on declined, followed with the increase in the jobs in healthcare and retail sector. Out of all the sectors of employment, agriculture remains the least occupied throughout the period.

In 1960, 15 million people were employed in the manufacturing sector, which rose steadily to 20 million by 1980. After which this sector started declining and stopped at around 13 million jobs in 2020. However, the agriculture and retail sector begin with similar number of jobs in 1960 which was nearly 7 million people, whereas healthcare was the least prioritised sector at around 2 million people.

By 1980, number of people employed in retail rose significantly to 10 million, even surpassed the manufacturing sector and reached a peak of 16 million jobs by 2020. Followed by the health care sector which increased slightly to 5 million in 1980 and then substantially climbed to the same as a retail sector by 2020. The only sector in which employment statistics not raised was agriculture because jobs consistently fell until 2020 to approximately 2 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and trends of the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the dominant shift from manufacturing to healthcare and retail, as well as the steady decline of agriculture. Key figures are correctly identified and compared, such as the peak of manufacturing at 20 million in 1980 and the parallel rise of retail and healthcare to 16 million by 2020. There are minor inaccuracies in the initial figures for retail and agriculture, which started at around 6 million rather than 7 million, but these do not detract from the overall clarity and adequacy of the response. The information is well-selected and supported by data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, followed by a distinct overview paragraph, and then breaks down the body details chronologically and sector by sector. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices are employed with reasonable flexibility, such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'By 1980', though there is a slight mechanical feel in some transitions like 'After which this sector started declining'. Referencing is generally clear, and the logical relationship between the data points is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information with some precision. Appropriate terms related to economic data and trends are used, such as 'dominated', 'declined', 'rose steadily', and 'substantially climbed'. Less common lexical items are attempted, including 'least prioritised sector' and 'employment statistics'. There are occasional slight inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'jobs in healthcare and retail sector' (missing plural on sectors) and 'employment statistics not raised' (awkward phrasing for 'did not rise'). However, these minor errors do not impede communication, and the vocabulary is adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over relative clauses and time markers (e.g., 'which rose steadily to 20 million by 1980' and 'The only sector in which employment statistics not raised was agriculture'). There are several grammatical errors present, such as 'begin with similar number' (tense inconsistency), 'reach a peak... by 2020. Followed by the health care sector which increased...' (fragmented clause), and missing articles ('the agriculture and retail sector'). Despite these errors, the majority of sentences are clear, and punctuation is generally sound. The grammatical range is sufficient to support clear communication.

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