Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 8.0)

The line chart illustrates the number of jobs provided by the four economic sectors–manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare–in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that retail and healthcare had the highest employment figures by the end of the period, while employment in agriculture declined sharply. Manufacturing exhibited some fluctuations before declining subsequently.

In 1960, manufacturing was the largest employer, with 15 million jobs, before peaking at 20 million in 1980 and subsequently experiencing a sharp decline by 2020. Although agriculture provided around 6 million jobs in 1960, this figure fell considerably to approximately 3 million in 1980 and continued to decline, finishing at about 2 million jobs in 2020.

By contrast, retail and healthcare demonstrated contrasting employment trends. Retail started at nearly 6 million jobs in 1960 and increased sharply in the following decades. By 2000, the figure had reached 15 million, and after overtaking manufacturing around 2010, it stood at approximately 16 million in 2020. Conversely, initially healthcare accounted for only about 2 million jobs, but this number increased to 5 million in 1980. Thereafter, employment in this sector continued to rise, eventually overtaking manufacturing and reaching the same level as retail by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully and accurately addresses all parts of the task. The student provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the trends, highlighting the dominant sectors at the end of the period (retail and healthcare) alongside the sharp decline in agriculture and the fluctuations in manufacturing. Key data points are cited accurately from the visual data, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 and agriculture falling to approximately 2 million in 2020. Comparisons are made effectively throughout the text, including statements like "overtaking manufacturing around 2010" and reaching "the same level as retail by the end of the period." The report satisfies all requirements for a Band 8 level in Task Achievement through its well-selected features and precise support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The information is divided into logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs detailing specific sector trends. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as "Overall," "In 1960," "By contrast," and "Conversely." Referencing is clear throughout, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate general trends from specific data analysis. There are no notable faults in cohesion, making the progression of ideas smooth and easy to follow. This earns a solid Band 8 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Appropriate vocabulary for describing data trends is used effectively, including terms like "exhibited some fluctuations," "declining subsequently," "peaking at," and "overtaking manufacturing." Word choices and collocations are generally very natural, as seen in phrases like "highest employment figures" and "contrasting employment trends." There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication. The use of less common lexical items such as "subsequently" and "demonstrated" reflects good control, securing a Band 7.5 to 8.0, rounded appropriately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response displays a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The student successfully integrates subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as "before peaking at 20 million in 1980 and subsequently experiencing a sharp decline" and "Although agriculture provided around 6 million jobs in 1960, this figure fell considerably." The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Grammar and tense control are consistent when describing past data trends over the specified timeline. This performance comfortably aligns with the Band 8 descriptor.

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