Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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)

This line graph illustrates how employment levels evolved across US economic four sectors Manufacturing, Retail ,Agriculture and Healthcare between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, the data reveals a structural economic shift: Manufacturing declined after peaking in 1980, while Healthcare and Retail grew steadily, with Agriculture remaining minimal and stable post-1980. In 1960, Manufacturing employed 15 million workers — the highest of all sectors — rising to 20 million by 1980 before falling sharply to 13 million by 2020. Conversely, Healthcare started at only 2 million but surged dramatically after 1980, reaching 16 million — an eightfold increase — effectively matching Retail, which climbed consistently from 6 million to 16 million over the period. Agriculture, meanwhile, dropped from 6 million to 3 million by 1980 and then plateaued, showing no significant change thereafter. This trend underscores a pronounced transition from industrial to service-oriented employment, accentuating the burgeoning dominance of Healthcare and Retail, juxtaposed with the contraction of traditional sectors

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and key comparisons across the four sectors of the economy between 1960 and 2020. The response includes an effective overview pointing out the structural economic shift from manufacturing to service-oriented industries. Specific figures are accurately cited from the chart, such as Manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 before falling to 13 million, and Healthcare surging from 2 million to 16 million. The data is accurately represented without major omissions or misreadings, and the progression of all sectors is clearly covered throughout the text, fully satisfying the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The text demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is coherently structured, starting with an introductory sentence containing a natural overview, followed by a detailed body of evidence, and concluding with a well-integrated summary of the broader economic transition. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Conversely', and 'meanwhile' are used effectively to signal shifts and contrasts between the various sectors. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, and referencing throughout the text remains clear and unambiguous, ensuring seamless reading from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide and flexible lexical resource appropriate for an academic task. The student employs sophisticated vocabulary and collocation effectively, such as 'structural economic shift', 'surged dramatically', 'plateaued', and 'service-oriented employment'. Word choice is precise, capturing the exact movements of the data lines on the graph. There are virtually no lexical errors, and the range of vocabulary used allows for nuanced descriptions of trends and comparisons, matching the descriptors for a high band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences are varied in length and construction, incorporating participial phrases and subordinate clauses effectively, as seen in 'Manufacturing declined after peaking in 1980, while Healthcare and Retail grew steadily'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The minor error with word order in the introduction ('economic four sectors' instead of 'four economic sectors') is a rare slip that does not impede communication or detract from the overall high level of control.

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