Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28
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, measured in millions, available in four sectors—manufacturing, agriculture, retail, and healthcare—between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, employment trends varied considerably across the four industries. While the retail and healthcare sectors experienced substantial growth throughout the period, the number of jobs in manufacturing and agriculture declined. Healthcare recorded the most significant increase, whereas agriculture showed the sharpest fall.
In 1960, manufacturing was one of the largest employers and continued to grow until 1980, when it reached its peak. However, after this point, employment in the sector decreased steadily over the following decades and finished the period at a considerably lower level. Agriculture followed a similar but more consistent downward trend, with job numbers falling continuously from 1960 to 2020.
By contrast, employment in the retail sector rose gradually throughout the sixty-year period. Although growth was relatively moderate during the early years, the number of retail jobs increased significantly towards the end of the period. The healthcare industry witnessed the most dramatic expansion, with employment figures climbing steadily from the beginning and eventually surpassing those of the other sectors by 2020.
In summary, the graph highlights a shift in employment patterns, with service-based industries such as retail and healthcare becoming increasingly important, while traditional sectors including manufacturing and agriculture lost jobs over time.
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 covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate summary of the main features and trends across the four economic sectors. The overview in the second paragraph successfully highlights the general divergence between the growing sectors (retail and healthcare) and the declining sectors (manufacturing and agriculture). Data points are reported correctly, such as manufacturing reaching its peak around 1980 at 20 million jobs and agriculture experiencing a continuous fall. The response is fully grounded in the provided chart without notable omissions or misreadings, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
Ideas are logically sequenced, and the progression from the introduction to the overview, body paragraphs, and concluding summary is clear and natural. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each body paragraph dedicated to contrasting trends (manufacturing and agriculture versus retail and healthcare). Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'By contrast', and 'In summary' are managed skillfully without being overused or mechanical. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to academic reporting. Phrases like 'substantial growth', 'significant increase', 'sharpest fall', and 'dramatic expansion' show good control of collocation and style. Less common lexical items are used naturally, and word choice is precise throughout. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate, supporting smooth and unimpeded communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately. Examples include subordinate clauses ('While the retail and healthcare sectors experienced...') and participial constructions ('surpassing those of the other sectors by 2020'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is consistently strong. There are no noticeable slips that impede understanding or disrupt the flow.
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