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 the number of jobs, in millions, in four sectors of the US economy—manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare—from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs at the beginning of the period, but its figure declined after reaching a peak in 1980. In contrast, employment in retail and healthcare increased substantially. Agriculture experienced a gradual decline throughout the period.
In 1960, manufacturing employed 15 million people, considerably more than the other sectors. This figure rose to a peak of 20 million in 1980 before falling to 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Retail, meanwhile, increased steadily from 6 million jobs in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000, eventually reaching 16 million in 2020.
Healthcare also showed strong growth. Starting at only 2 million jobs in 1960, employment increased to 5 million in 1980 and then more than doubled to 11 million in 2000. By 2020, it had reached 16 million, matching the figure for retail.
Agriculture followed the opposite trend. Its employment level fell from 6 million in 1960 to 3 million in 1980, remained unchanged at around 3 million in 2000, and then declined further to just 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student fully addresses all parts of the prompt by selecting, reporting, and comparing the main features of the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overall trends such as manufacturing's peak and subsequent decline, the substantial growth in retail and healthcare, and the gradual drop in agriculture. Data points are accurately cited from the visual material, including specific figures such as manufacturing starting at 15 million, peaking at 20 million in 1980, and ending at 13 million. The response satisfies all requirements of Task 1 comprehensively and accurately without any noticeable omissions or misinterpretations.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The text is exceptionally well-organized and displays a clear logical progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by well-defined body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors and trends. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'In contrast,' 'meanwhile,' and 'The opposite trend,' establishing clear links between clauses and sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to separate distinct groups of data, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparison of trends over the sixty-year span.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range that is highly appropriate for an academic report. Vocabulary items such as 'substantially,' 'considerably,' 'peak,' and 'gradual decline' are employed with precision and a strong awareness of collocation. The phrasing flows naturally and there are no inappropriate word choices or spelling errors. The writer successfully avoids repetitive phrasing by skillfully varying verbs and descriptors to illustrate upward and downward movements in the data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing sophisticated control over tense consistency ('employed,' 'rose,' 'had reached') and dependent clauses. Punctuation is handled flawlessly, and modifying phrases like 'Starting at only 2 million jobs in 1960' are correctly attached. Only very occasional or minor slips could separate this from absolute native-like perfection, placing it firmly at the Band 8 level.
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