Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02
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 employees in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020. Overall, the number of retail and healthcare workers increased, albeit at varying rates, while the reverse was true for manufacturing and agriculture. However, the number of manufacturing workers stood out among the other categories with consistently higher figures.
Focusing on the increases first, the number of retail jobs started at about 6 million in 1960. Over the six decades, it experienced a significant increase from 6 million in 1960 to 16 million in 2020. Similarly, the number of healthcare jobs grew dramatically from 2 million in 1960 to 16 million in 2020.
By contrast, the number of manufacturing and agriculture jobs decreased over the period. The number of manufacturing jobs increased steadily from 15 million in 1960 to 20 million in 1980, but this was followed by a significant decrease to 13 million in the final year. The number of agriculture jobs declined gradually from 5 million in 1960 to about 2 million in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully presents an overview of the main trends across the four sectors, noting the growth in retail and healthcare alongside the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. Key figures are accurately reported, such as retail and healthcare both reaching 16 million in 2020. However, the response sits at a half-band because the overview contains a minor inaccuracy: manufacturing did not consistently hold higher figures than all categories throughout the entire period, as retail surpassed it towards the end of the timeline, and the initial data for agriculture was slightly misread (stated as 5 million in 1960 when the chart shows roughly 6 million). To reach the higher band, all major trends and data points must be reported with complete precision.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly by direction of trend, separating the growing sectors from the declining ones. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Focusing on', 'Similarly', and 'By contrast' are employed flexibly to guide the reader through the data. Referencing is generally clear, though slightly smoother transitions between the body paragraphs could elevate the structure further towards the highest bands.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student exhibits a sufficient vocabulary range to allow for some precision, successfully utilizing less common items and functional reporting language such as 'experienced a significant increase', 'grew dramatically', and 'declined gradually'. Word choice and collocations are generally appropriate for an academic report. Occasional minor slips occur, such as stating that manufacturing 'increased steadily from 15 million in 1960 to 20 million in 1980, but this was followed by a significant decrease', which is factually accurate according to the chart, but the phrasing could incorporate more varied lexical chunks for describing peaks and fluctuations to reach a higher level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures with frequent error-free sentences. Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with accurate tense usage for past data, such as 'started at about 6 million in 1960' and 'experienced a significant increase'. Subordinate clauses and transitional structures are handled securely. A few minor slips persist, but grammar and punctuation errors do not impede communication at all, showing solid command over simple and complex forms alike.
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