Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Writing Test -1, Tasks- 1&2 Question with Answer / Cambridge IELTS Book-21 Academic Writing Test -1, Task- 1&2 / IELTS Academic Writing Task -1 , Cambridge Book-21 Test 1

Cambridge IELTS 21 Writing (Academic Task-1) Test- 1

TASK 1: 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.

Write at least 150 words.

Band 6 (Competent User)

The line graph provides information about changes in job numbers, measured in millions, across four different sectors in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that employment in healthcare increased significantly over the period, while agriculture and manufacturing showed downward trends. On the other hand, retail employment grew steadily for the first four decades before staying relatively flat.

In 1960, manufacturing was the main sector for employment, providing about 15 million jobs. This number rose gradually to reach a peak of approximately 20 million in 1980. However, it then started to fall constantly until it hit roughly 13 million by 2020. Similarly, agriculture began with 6 million workers in 1960, but it experienced a sharp drop to under 2 million at the end of the timeframe, losing more than half of its total workforce.

Looking at healthcare, it started at the lowest position in 1960 with only 2 million employees. After that, it grew continuously without stopping, reaching 16 million in 2020 and becoming the largest sector. Finally, retail jobs increased from 6 million in 1960 to peak at around 16 million in 2000. It then leveled off and dropped slightly to 15.5 million in 2020, though it remained higher than its initial level.

Band 7 (Good User)

The line chart compares employment levels in four distinct industries in the United States between 1960 and 2020, with figures given in millions.

Overall, the data reveals a marked contrast between traditional sectors and service industries. Healthcare experienced continuous expansion throughout the period, whereas manufacturing and agriculture registered long-term declines. Meanwhile, retail employment showed steady growth before stabilizing toward the end of the timeframe.

Regarding the declining sectors, manufacturing held the dominant share in 1960 with 15 million workers. Although it reached a high of roughly 20 million in 1980, it subsequently entered a downward trend, finishing at approximately 13 million in 2020. Agricultural jobs saw an even steeper reduction; starting at 6 million, the figure dropped sharply to under 2 million by 2020, representing a loss of over two-thirds of its workforce.

Conversely, healthcare posted uninterrupted growth. Starting as the smallest employer with just 2 million jobs in 1960, it expanded dramatically to reach 16 million by 2020, eventually surpassing all other sectors. Retail employment also followed an upward trajectory initially, climbing from 6 million in 1960 to a peak of about 16 million in 2000, after which it plateaued and declined marginally to 15.5 million by the end of the period.

Band 8 (Very Good User)

The line graph illustrates shifts in US workforce distribution across four economic sectors—Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, and Healthcare—over a 60-year period from 1960 to 2020, measured in millions of employees.

Overall, the period witnessed a profound structural pivot toward care- and service-based employment. Healthcare recorded substantial, uninterrupted growth to emerge as the leading source of jobs, whereas manufacturing and agriculture both suffered prolonged contractions. Retail expanded significantly overall, though its growth momentum halted in the final two decades.

In 1960, manufacturing dominated the labor market with 15 million positions. It expanded to a peak of 20 million in 1980 before commencing a steady decline that reduced its workforce to 13 million by 2020. Agriculture followed a similarly negative trajectory, starting at 6 million and plummeting by over two-thirds to under 2 million, marking the lowest figure among all categories.

In stark contrast, healthcare launched from a baseline of just 2 million in 1960—the lowest among the four—and maintained a relentless upward trajectory. By 2010, it had overtaken retail, and by 2020, it stood at 16 million, outstripping manufacturing to become the largest employer. Retail employment climbed steadily from 6 million to hit a high of roughly 16 million in 2000; thereafter, it plateaued and dipped slightly to 15.5 million, holding largely stable through 2020.

TASK 2: The best way to provide enough  homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Band 6 (Competent User)

In many major cities today, finding enough housing for the growing population is a big challenge. It is argued that constructing high-rise apartment buildings is the best solution to this problem. I partly agree with this view because vertical housing saves space, but it also creates other problems that need different solutions.

On the one hand, high-rise buildings are very useful for dense urban areas because land is limited. When cities build vertically, they can accommodate thousands of people on a small area of ground. For instance, in crowded places like Tokyo or New York, tall towers allow workers to live near their jobs without taking up space that could be used for parks or roads. Furthermore, modern apartments can be built quickly with modern construction methods, which helps governments reduce home shortages faster.

On the other hand, relying only on tall apartment blocks is not the best approach for every city. Firstly, high-rise apartments are often expensive to build and maintain, so they are not always affordable for low-income families. Secondly, living in tall buildings can cause social problems, such as isolation, because residents rarely interact with their neighbors. Instead of only building skyscrapers, governments should also consider expanding public transport so people can live in surrounding suburban areas where housing is cheaper and quieter.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks help solve the space shortage in big cities, they are not a complete answer on their own. Cities should combine high-rise housing with better suburban development to ensure everyone gets a decent home.

Band 7 (Good User)

Rapid urbanization has made housing shortages a critical issue in major metropolitan areas worldwide. While some suggest that building high-rise apartment blocks is the most effective way to address this crisis, I only partially agree. Although vertical development offers essential spatial benefits, it must be complemented by alternative urban planning strategies.

Proponents of tall residential buildings point to their efficiency in land usage. In densely populated cities where real estate is scarce and expensive, building upward maximizes the number of living spaces per square meter. For example, high-density residential towers in cities like Singapore have successfully housed millions on a relatively small footprint. Furthermore, concentrating housing in vertical blocks centralizes essential infrastructure, such as public transport and utilities, making service delivery more efficient and reducing urban sprawl into surrounding rural areas.

However, treating high-rise blocks as the single best solution is problematic due to social and financial drawbacks. High-rise developments involve substantial construction and maintenance costs, which often pushes rent and purchase prices out of reach for lower-income households. Moreover, high-density living can lead to psychological isolation and severe pressure on local public amenities like schools and parking facilities. Therefore, urban planners should also explore horizontal solutions, such as developing suburban satellite towns backed by high-speed transit networks, allowing people to access affordable housing without overcrowding city centers.

In conclusion, tall apartment buildings are a highly practical mechanism for increasing urban housing capacity, but they are not a universal solution. A balanced approach that integrates vertical housing with suburban expansion is necessary to resolve city housing shortages effectively.

Band 8 (Very Good User)

As urban populations surge globally, accommodating city dwellers within constrained geographic footprints has become a paramount challenge. While constructing high-rise residential towers is frequently lauded as the definitive solution to urban housing deficits, I contend that while vertical expansion is indispensable, designating it as the single "best" method oversimplifies a multifaceted urban planning dilemma.

Undeniably, high-rise developments offer unparalleled land-use efficiency in megacities facing acute spatial constraints. By expanding vertically rather than horizontally, municipalities can dramatically increase housing density on minimal land plots. In metropolis environments such as Hong Kong or Tokyo, multi-story residential complexes prevent the reckless consumption of agricultural outskirts and facilitate centralized utility management. Furthermore, clustering residents vertically around mass transit hubs minimizes commute times and reduces dependence on private vehicles, thereby fostering environmentally sustainable urban ecosystems.

Nevertheless, relying exclusively on high-rise construction exposes significant economic and socio-psychological vulnerabilities. High-density towers entail astronomical capital expenditure and complex engineering, driving up unit costs and frequently pricing out the very low-income demographics most affected by housing shortages. Culturally and socially, vertical living often precipitates alienation and puts immense strain on localized social infrastructure, including green spaces and community services. Consequently, robust housing policies must encompass alternative strategies, such as investing in high-speed regional rail lines to open up suburban commuter belts or converting underutilized commercial zoning into medium-density mixed-use developments.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks represent an essential tool for maximizing urban spatial capacity, yet they cannot serve as a standalone panacea. A comprehensive housing strategy must couple vertical density in urban cores with well-connected suburban growth to ensure equitable, sustainable living conditions for all residents.

Vocabulary List (Intermediate to Advanced)

Word / Vocabulary	Meaning in Context	Bangla Meaning
Trajectory	The path or course of development over time.	গতিপথ / বিকাশের ধারা
Plateaued	Reached a state of little or no change after a period of activity.	স্থিতিশীল অবস্থায় পৌঁছানো
Profound	Very great, intense, or deeply impactful.	গভীর / অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
Pivot	A significant shift or change in direction/structure.	মোড় / কেন্দ্রীয় পরিবর্তন
Contraction	The process of becoming smaller or shrinking.	সংকোচন / হ্রাস পাওয়া
Plummeted	To drop or fall straight down at high speed.	দ্রুত নিচে পড়ে যাওয়া
Outstripping	Moving faster than or overtaking something.	ছাড়িয়ে যাওয়া
Relentless	Unceasing, continuously progressing without stopping.	অবিরাম / বিরতিহীন
Accommodate	To provide lodging or sufficient space for someone/something.	থাকার ব্যবস্থা করা / জায়গা দেওয়া
Proponents	People who advocate or strongly support a theory or project.	প্রবক্তা / সমর্থক
Urban Sprawl	The uncontrolled outward expansion of urban areas.	শহরের অনিয়ন্ত্রিত বিস্তার
Paramount	More important than anything else; supreme.	সর্বোচ্চ / সর্বাধিক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
Lauded	Highly praised or admired.	প্রশংসিত
Indispensable	Absolutely necessary; impossible to do without.	অপরিহার্য / অত্যাবশ্যক
Multifaceted	Having many different aspects, features, or sides.	বহুমুখী
Unparalleled	Having no equal; exceptional.	অতুলনীয়
Constrained	Restricted or severely limited in space or scope.	সীমাবদ্ধ / সংকুচিত
Astronomical	Extremely large (usually relating to amounts or costs).	আকাশচুম্বী / প্রচুর পরিমাণ
Alienation	The state or experience of being socially isolated or separated.	বিচ্ছিন্নতা / একাকীত্ব
Panacea	A single solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.	সর্বরোগহর ঔষধ / সব সমস্যার একমাত্র সমাধান
Equitable	Fair, impartial, and providing equal opportunities.	ন্যায্য / ন্যায়সঙ্গত