Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-18

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 illustrates on the number of jobs (in millions) in four sectors of the economy- namely Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture and Healthcare in the US between 1960 and 2020. Overall, it is clear that the number of jobs in healthcare and retail sectors have increased and relatively decreased in manufacturing and agriculture sectors over the years.

The manufacturing sector had maximum number of jobs with 15 million in 1960, which slightly increased to 20 million in 1980 and then gradually decreased over the years. In 2020, the sector had only 13 million jobs which is less than the initial numbers.

The retail and agriculture sector began with same number of jobs in 1980 with 6 million. The number of jobs increased in retail sector over the years, with a stagnant phase during [redacted phone]. Whereas agriculture sector faced a decline with the passing year. In 2020, the agriculture sector only had 2 million jobs which is the least amongst all the sectors.

The healthcare sector started with the least number of jobs in 1960 with 2 million. The number increased significantly over the years and the number of jobs became equal as that of the retail sector in 2020.

In conclusion, it can be said that retail and healthcare sectors have gained much popularity in the job market over the years, whereas number of jobs in manufacturing sector has significantly reduced, while agriculture sector being relatively less popular from the beginning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You identify the main overall contrast accurately: healthcare and retail rise, while manufacturing and agriculture decline overall. The response also selects useful figures, including manufacturing’s peak of 20 million in 1980 and agriculture’s fall to 2 million by 2020. However, there are factual and interpretive slips that limit the precision of the report. Retail and agriculture did not begin at 6 million in 1980; both were at that level in 1960. Retail did not remain stagnant from 2000 to 2020, but rose slightly from 15 to 16 million. The conclusion’s claim that manufacturing “significantly reduced” also overlooks its mid-period peak and subsequent decline. More accurate comparisons across all four dates would strengthen the overview and support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction and overview, followed by paragraphs on manufacturing, retail/agriculture, and healthcare. This gives the reader a logical route through the data, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Whereas,” and “In conclusion” help signal relationships. The progression is generally easy to follow, though the final conclusion repeats the overview rather than adding a useful comparison. Some connections could be more precise: the retail and agriculture paragraph begins with an incorrect date, which disrupts the comparison, and “The number increased” in the healthcare paragraph could identify the subject more explicitly. To improve further, group sectors by contrasting trends and use references that make each comparison unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of trend vocabulary, including “increased,” “decline,” “stagnant phase,” and “significantly,” and the sector names and units are handled clearly. Some choices are less natural or precise for describing a graph: “gained much popularity in the job market” interprets job numbers as popularity, while “relatively decreased” is awkward for a downward trend. There are also collocation and form issues in phrases such as “had maximum number” and “least amongst all the sectors.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce the accuracy and flexibility expected at a stronger level. Prefer neutral reporting language such as “employment rose” or “the sector recorded the fewest jobs.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and contrasts introduced by “whereas,” and most of the message remains clear. However, some grammatical errors recur. The opening “illustrates on the number” has an unnecessary preposition, and “the number of jobs … have increased” has subject–verb disagreement because “number” is singular. Articles are missing in “had maximum number,” while “The retail and agriculture sector began” has a number-agreement problem when referring to two sectors. The sentence beginning “Whereas agriculture sector faced…” is also a fragment. More consistent control of articles, agreement, and complete sentence structure would make the varied forms more accurate.

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