Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 graph illustrates the number of jobs in four sectors of the US economy between 1960 and 2020, with figures given in millions.

Overall, employment in retail and healthcare increased considerably over the period, whereas agriculture experienced a continuous decline. Manufacturing was the largest source of employment at the beginning and reached a peak in 1980, but its figure then fell. By 2020, healthcare had become the largest employer, while agriculture had the fewest jobs.

In 1960, manufacturing provided approximately 15 million jobs, compared with around 6 million in both retail and agriculture. Healthcare was the smallest sector, with about 2 million jobs. Manufacturing employment then rose to a peak of roughly 20 million in 1980, before declining gradually to around 13 million in 2020.

Agriculture followed a very different pattern. Its employment figure fell from about 6 million in 1960 to approximately 3 million in 1980. It remained relatively stable until 2000, after which it decreased further, reaching only about 2 million jobs in 2020.

In contrast, both retail and healthcare grew throughout the period. Retail employment increased from around 6 million in 1960 to 10 million in 1980 and continued rising to approximately 15 million by 2020. Healthcare showed the most significant growth, increasing from about 2 million to 5 million in 1980 and then rising sharply to around 16 million at the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a fully developed overview and selecting all key features of the data. The trends across all four sectors between 1960 and 2020 are accurately reported, and clear, relevant comparisons are made throughout. For example, noting that retail and healthcare increased considerably while agriculture experienced a continuous decline accurately captures the macro-level movements. Furthermore, specific data points like manufacturing reaching a peak of roughly 20 million in 1980 and healthcare rising sharply to around 16 million are correctly cited. The information is well-supported with data and grounded entirely in the provided visual, meeting the requirements for this high band with only minor generalisations rather than significant omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced, and there is a clear progression throughout the response. The essay is divided into a logical introduction, an overall summary paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs dedicated to grouping the data logically—one for manufacturing, one for agriculture, and one for retail and healthcare. All aspects of cohesion are well managed, using cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately without any mechanical repetition. Phrases such as 'In contrast, both retail and healthcare grew throughout the period' and 'Agriculture followed a very different pattern' smoothly guide the reader between contrasting trends and distinct categories of economic sectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task report. Less common lexical items and functional phrases are skilfully employed to describe trends, such as 'continuous decline', 'reached a peak', 'declining gradually', and 'rising sharply'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, reflecting a strong command of vocabulary. Only occasional minor inaccuracies or less sophisticated word choices occur, but these do not impede communication. The terminology used for economic sectors and statistical movements is handled with a high degree of natural control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

A wide range of complex sentence structures is used with a high level of control, and the majority of sentences are completely error-free. The writer demonstrates excellent command of past and present time markers, tense consistency, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'whereas agriculture experienced a continuous decline', 'before declining gradually to around 13 million in 2020'). Punctuation and grammatical structures are handled accurately throughout, with only very occasional minor slips that do not disrupt the flow of reading or obscure the intended meaning.

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