Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 8.0)

The line graph illustrates employment figures across four distinct economic sectors in the United States from 1960 to 2020, measured in millions of jobs.

Overall, retail and healthcare experienced substantial, uninterrupted growth over the 60-year period, ultimately surpassing manufacturing to become the largest employment sectors by 2020. In contrast, employment in agriculture steadily diminished, while manufacturing numbers peaked mid-period before entering a prolonged decline.

In 1960, manufacturing was by far the leading employer at 15 million jobs. This figure climbed to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before decreasing steadily to approximately 17 million in 2000 and finishing at 13 million by 2020. Agriculture, which began on par with retail at 6 million positions in 1960, halved to 3 million by 1980. After remaining stagnant over the subsequent two decades, it declined further to roughly 2 million by the end of the period, registering the lowest workforce throughout most of the timeframe.

Conversely, the service-oriented sectors showed consistent upward trajectories. Retail employment expanded from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000. Healthcare witnessed even more rapid expansion, rising eightfold from a modest 2 million in 1960 to 11 million by 2000. By 2020, both retail and healthcare converged at the top, each accounting for 16 million jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully satisfies the requirements of Academic Task 1. The student provides a comprehensive overview of the main trends and notable features, correctly identifying the overall growth in retail and healthcare, the decline in agriculture, and the fluctuating path of manufacturing. Key data points, such as the peak of manufacturing at 20 million in 1980 and the convergence of retail and healthcare at 16 million in 2020, are accurately reported and compared. The information is selected effectively from the visual data, and no significant details are omitted or misread. The response demonstrates a clear understanding of the graph's overall progression, meeting all the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with a well-formulated introductory sentence and a distinct overview paragraph that highlights the primary trends. The body paragraphs are logically grouped by sector and chronology, allowing the reader to follow the comparisons effortlessly. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally throughout the text, as seen in phrases like 'In contrast,' 'Conversely,' and 'After remaining stagnant.' Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs, ensuring seamless transitions between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student exhibits a wide and flexible lexical resource appropriate for an academic report. Words and phrases such as 'substantial, uninterrupted growth,' 'steadily diminished,' 'prolonged decline,' and 'service-oriented sectors' demonstrate a sophisticated control of vocabulary and collocation. Less common items are used with precision, and there are no noticeable lexical errors or awkward word choices. The vocabulary enables the student to convey precise measurements and trends fluidly without repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response demonstrates a wide range of structures, incorporating both simple and complex sentences with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and complex grammatical structures—such as participial clauses ('accounting for 16 million jobs') and subordinate time clauses ('After remaining stagnant over the subsequent two decades')—are handled with excellent control. Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication.

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