Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23

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 employment figures across four different sectors Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, and Healthcare in the US economy over a sixty-year period from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, Manufacturing initially dominated the job market before experiencing a downward trend, whereas Retail and Healthcare saw substantial growth, with Retail ultimately finishing as the largest sector. In contrast, Agriculture consistently maintained the lowest employment levels throughout the entire timeframe.

In 1960, Manufacturing accounted for the highest employment at 15 million jobs. This figure rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980, before experiencing a steady decline over the next four decades to roughly 13 million by 2020. Conversely, Retail started at a modest 6 million jobs in 1960 and experienced a continuous, steep upward trajectory, eventually surpassing Manufacturing to become the leading sector at approximately 16 million jobs in 2020.

Similarly, Healthcare started at a low base of around 2 million jobs in 1960 and witnessed rapid, sustained growth, particularly after 1980, finishing the period closely matching Manufacturing at 16 million jobs. Meanwhile, Agriculture stood at roughly 6 million jobs in 1960 with Retail initially before dropping sharply to 3 million by 1980 and leveling off at a minimal 2 million jobs by the end of 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a thorough overview and selecting key features from the graph. The data cited is accurate and closely reflects the visual information provided. For instance, the student correctly highlights Manufacturing reaching a peak of 20 million in 1980 before declining, and accurately notes Retail and Healthcare finishing at 16 million jobs in 2020. Key comparisons are made effectively, such as contrasting the upward trajectory of Retail and Healthcare with the downward trend of Manufacturing and Agriculture. The response is well-developed and presents a clear, fully realised summary of the data without significant omissions, comfortably meeting the descriptors for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Information and ideas are structured clearly, beginning with a clear introduction and a well-synthesised overall trend statement in the second paragraph. The body paragraphs are logically divided, grouping related trends together effectively. Cohesive devices are used naturally and appropriately, such as 'whereas', 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'Similarly', which help guide the reader through the data comparisons smoothly. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function in the overall report. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to an overall sense of fluency and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and with good control, such as 'downward trend', 'substantial growth', 'continuous, steep upward trajectory', and 'rapid, sustained growth'. Word choices and collocations are generally very precise, as seen in phrases like 'accounted for the highest employment' and 'started at a low base'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, such as the minor awkwardness in 'with Retail initially' in the final paragraph, but these do not impede communication in any way and reflect natural language use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The writer successfully employs participial phrases ('before experiencing a steady decline', 'eventually surpassing Manufacturing'), subordinate clauses ('whereas Retail and Healthcare saw substantial growth'), and parallel structures. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Minor slips are virtually absent, and the complexity of the grammatical phrasing allows for a seamless and sophisticated presentation of the data, fully satisfying the criteria for an upper-tier band score.

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