Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24
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 7.0)
The line graph illustrates the number of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the United States between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, employment in Retail and Healthcare increased considerably over the period, whereas the figures for Manufacturing and Agriculture declined overall. By 2020.
The number of jobs in Healthcare rose steadily from 2 million in 1960 to 5 million in 1980, before increasing further to 11 million in 2000 and 16 million in 2020. Similarly, employment in Retail grew consistently from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and 15 million in 2000, eventually reaching 16 million in 2020.
In contrast, Manufacturing stood at 15 million jobs in 1960 and climbed sharply to a peak of 20 million in 1980. It then declined steadily, falling to 17 million in 2000 and 13 million in 2020. Meanwhile, employment in Agriculture decreased from 6 million in 1960 to 3 million in 1980, remained unchanged in 2000, and then fell slightly to 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and making relevant comparisons across all four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. An appropriate overall trend is identified, noting that Retail and Healthcare increased while Manufacturing and Agriculture declined. Data points from the graph are cited accurately, such as Healthcare starting at 2 million in 1960 and reaching 16 million in 2020. However, there is a minor mechanical error at the end of the overview paragraph where a sentence is left incomplete ('By 2020.'). Despite this slip, the task is comprehensively addressed with well-supported details, meeting the requirements for a high band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, moves to a clear overview, and then logically groups the body paragraphs by rising trends (Healthcare and Retail) and falling trends (Manufacturing and Agriculture). Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'In contrast', and 'Meanwhile' are used effectively to signal transitions between ideas and categories. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct conceptual groups. Referencing is generally clear, contributing to a smooth and easy read throughout the text.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for Task 1, utilizing functional items and reporting verbs such as 'illustrates', 'increased considerably', 'rose steadily', 'climbed sharply', and 'declined steadily'. There is successful use of less common phrasing like 'stood at', 'peak of', and 'remained unchanged'. Word choice and collocations are generally natural and accurate. Spelling and word formation are flawless. While it stops slightly short of the sophisticated flexibility required for Band 8, the lexical resource is strong and precise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writer employs a good variety of complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses of time ('before increasing further to...', 'as Manufacturing stood at...') and compound-complex constructions. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is generally sound. However, the incomplete sentence fragment in the overview ('By 2020.') detracts slightly from grammatical accuracy and completeness. Aside from this isolated glitch, the sentence forms are handled well and communication is never impeded.
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