Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22
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 changes in the number of jobs across four sectors of the economy in the US, namely manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare, over the period from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, it is evident that the figures followed varying trends over the given period, with some sectors increasing, while others declined or remained steady. Manufacturing recorded the highest figure at the beginning of the period, whereas agriculture had the lowest figure by the end of the period. However, healthcare increased significantly over the period.
Looking at the details, manufacturing stood at 15 million in 1960 and increased before reaching 20 million in 1980, and then fell dramatically to roughly 13 million by the end of the period. Moreover, healthcare was recorded at approximately 2 million in 1960, after which it rose sharply to around 16 million in 2020.
In 1960, retail started at a level in the region of 6 million. Thereafter, it increased continuously to roughly 16 million by the end of the period. Furthermore, agriculture stood at approximately 6 million in 1960 and fell before reaching 2.2 million in 1980, and then remained steady at nearly 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and reporting the main features of the four sectors across the given timeframe. Key trends, such as the dramatic rise in healthcare and the continuous growth in retail, are accurately identified and supported with correct figures from the visual data (e.g., healthcare rising to around 16 million in 2020 and retail starting at 6 million and reaching roughly 16 million). The comparison between starting and ending points is well handled, and data points like manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 are properly cited. The response is fully grounded in the provided chart without any noticeable misinterpretations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized and easy to follow. Progression is clear, starting with an introduction, followed by a well-crafted overview paragraph, and then detailed body paragraphs categorizing the sectors logically. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'Looking at the details', and 'Thereafter' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in the structure of an Academic Task 1 response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common functional items and phrases such as 'remained steady', 'fell dramatically', 'rose sharply', and 'in the region of'. Word choices and collocations are generally accurate, allowing the information to be conveyed with precision. Minor slips in phrasing are absent, and the language is natural and appropriate for an academic report, matching the criteria well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'namely manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare, over the period'). Grammatical accuracy is high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Control over tense usage is strong, correctly shifting between past references and ongoing trends. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, supporting clarity and readability without impeding communication.
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