Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-05

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 graph demonstrates quantity of jobs across four sectors of the US economy in the past 60 years ([redacted phone]), measured in millions.

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Overall, manufacturing has the highest number of jobs at the start of the period, which went down to the third-lowest figure at the end of the duration. Healthcare was among the lowest-quantity jobs at the beginning, which then rose steadily, overtaking agriculture and manufacturing by 2020. Retail and agriculture started with the same amount of jobs, but agriculture finished as the lowest jobs as compared to all other sectors, and retail sector jobs had seen a significant growth, overtaking manufacturing.

Manufacturing started with highest jobs in 1960, being at 15 millions. The trend kept rising until 1980 (20 millions) and then plummeted to around 13 millions in 2020.

Retail and agriculture jobs started at 6 millions, in 1960. However, retail sector showed a considerable growth, being at 10 millions in 1980, 15 millions in 2000, and finally reached to approximately 16 millions in 2020, overtaking manufacturing. While agriculture jobs experienced a decline till 1980, staying at 3 millions and finished the period at 2 millions in 2020.

Healthcare jobs demonstrated significant growth, being at lowest number of around 2 millions, in 1960 and then dominated the period, being at 5 millions in 1980, 15 millions in 2000, and 16 millions in 2020, overtaking all other sectors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, trends, and comparisons across all four economic sectors over the sixty-year period. A clear overview is provided at the beginning, highlighting the key shifts in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and agriculture. Key data points from the chart, such as the peak of manufacturing at 20 million in 1980 and the dramatic rise of healthcare to 16 million by 2020, are accurately cited and contrasted. The ideas are well extended and supported with relevant figures, though a few minor numerical readings could be slightly refined to reach the highest standard. Overall, the task is addressed with a strong, clear, and logical selection of information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response maintains a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is divided effectively into paragraphs, with an introductory sentence, an overview paragraph, and subsequent body paragraphs dedicated to individual sectors or grouped comparisons. Cohesive devices are used flexibly, such as transition words like 'However', 'While', and 'and then', which help guide the reader through the data. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions could be made slightly more seamless to reflect the highest band of control. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and functional reporting verbs such as 'plummeted', 'overtaking', 'dominated', and 'experienced a decline'. There is a clear awareness of stylistic register required for academic writing. However, minor lexical inaccuracies appear in phrasing and collocation, such as writing 'at 15 millions' instead of 'at 15 million', or 'lowest number of around 2 millions' and 'finished as the lowest jobs'. These occasional slips in word form and pluralisation restrict the vocabulary score, but communication remains entirely clear throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

A satisfactory mix of simple and complex sentence forms is employed, showing an ability to handle subordinate clauses and relative comparisons effectively. The student demonstrates good control over past tense narrative structures required for historical data (e.g., 'started', 'went down', 'plummeted'). However, there are some minor errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly missing articles or awkward prepositional phrasing such as 'staying at 3 millions and finished the period', where verb consistency falters. These errors occur intermittently and rarely impede communication, allowing the response to fully meet the requirements of the lower band while showing partial control of more complex grammatical patterns.

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