Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 economic sectors in the US over a sixty-year period from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, manufacturing was the largest sector at the beginning and it fell downward at the end. By contrast, retail and healthcare rose sharply and end at similar levels. Meanwhile, agriculture declined steadily and remained the smallest sector at the end of the period.
In 1960, manufacting started at 15 million in 1960 and rose sharply to 20 million in 1980. It dipped to 13 million in 2020 after reaching a peak. Agriculture shows opposite movement, it declined steadily from 6 million in 1960 to 2 million in 2020.
Retail increased from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980, before reaching 15 million in 2000 and 16 million in 2020 at the end. Healthcare showed the fastest growth, climbing from just 2 million in 1960 to 5 million in 1980 and 11 million in 2000. It then rose to 16 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features, selecting appropriate data points, and making relevant comparisons across the four economic sectors. The overview correctly identifies the overall trends, noting manufacturing's initial dominance followed by a decline, the sharp rise in retail and healthcare, and the steady downward trend in agriculture. Key figures are accurately cited from the visual data, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 and healthcare climbing from 2 million to 16 million. The response is well-supported with specific figures and trends throughout, fulfilling all requirements of Task Achievement at a high level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response is logically organized with a clear four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing specific sectoral developments. Ideas are logically sequenced, beginning with a summary and moving into detailed figures. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'By contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'before reaching' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, ensuring that each paragraph has a distinct focus. Cohesion is well managed overall, with only minor mechanical transitions that do not impede the clear progression of information.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student uses a sufficient and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating functional terms such as 'illustrates', 'sector', 'decline steadily', 'rose sharply', and 'peak'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though a few minor lexical slips occur, such as writing 'manufacting' instead of 'manufacturing' in the third paragraph. Word choices are precise enough to convey the trends clearly and communicate the data without causing confusion for the reader, demonstrating an adequate to good control of lexical features appropriate for a Band 7 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The line graph illustrates the number of jobs...' and 'Retail increased from 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980, before reaching 15 million in 2000...'. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate. There are a few minor grammatical lapses, such as 'end at similar levels' (tense inconsistency compared to past-tense narration) and a spelling typo ('manufacting'). However, these errors do not impede communication, and the grammatical control is solid throughout the response, warranting a solid Band 7 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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