Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below gives information about the five small companies in Britain that came top in a survey of staff conducted by a national newspaper to find out which companies are the best to work for.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

THE FIVE BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The table illustrates information about five small enterprises in Britain which came on top as a result from a survey. A national newspaper surveyed staff of the following companies to know which firm is the best to work for other individuals.

Overall, there are 5 different factors influencing each company's position such as the staff numbers, male: female ratio, age groups, staff turnover and staff in high income bracket.

Fifth number accounted for the largest number of staff members which is almost 190 people while the lowest number is 56 people by No. 1 company. The difference in the male and female ratio is the highest in 1st, 3rd and 4th company while the 2nd and 5th position accounted for almost similar number of male and female staff.

The working people aged over 55s are the most in 4th company by 8% while others have almost all working people aged under 35. Staff turnover was the highest in 2nd and 5th position company's by 18% and 33% respectively. Similarly, increased income bracket was seen by 74% in the 3rd company which is the highest proportion among all.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the table’s subject and report several relevant comparisons, including the largest workforce at fifth place (190) and the smallest at first place (56), the older staff share at fourth place, and the highest income-bracket figure at third place. These details show a reasonable grasp of the data. However, the overview mainly lists the five categories rather than summarising the most important patterns. Some comparisons are also unclear or inaccurate: the male–female difference is not greatest in first, third and fourth places collectively, and the second and fifth companies have different turnover rates, not a shared high level. Develop the overview around clear contrasts, and report key figures more precisely, including the high-income percentages and the age profile across the companies.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two paragraphs presenting selected data. The information is generally grouped sensibly, with workforce size and gender compared before age, turnover and income. Linking expressions such as “while” and “Similarly” help connect points. However, the overview does not actually state a main trend, and some transitions are mechanical or imprecise. For example, “Similarly” does not clearly show how the income figure relates to the preceding turnover comparison. The phrase “the difference … is the highest in 1st, 3rd and 4th company” also makes the comparison difficult to follow. Use clearer topic sentences and organise each paragraph around a specific comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing the table, including “staff turnover,” “proportion,” “male and female staff,” and “high income bracket.” These terms are relevant and help communicate the main categories. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “accounted for” and “influencing,” but some choices are unnatural or imprecise in context. “Came on top as a result from a survey” is awkward, and “increased income bracket” does not accurately describe the share of staff in that bracket. “Working people” is also less suitable than “employees” or “staff.” Aim for precise reporting language and natural collocations so that the data comparisons are easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more developed sentence forms, including comparisons with “while” and clauses introduced by “which.” Most sentences remain understandable, and errors do not generally prevent the reader from following the data. Some grammatical problems nevertheless reduce accuracy. For example, “the 2nd and 5th position accounted” has a plural subject with a singular verb, while “in 2nd and 5th position company's” has an incorrect possessive construction. In “the highest in 1st, 3rd and 4th company,” the singular noun does not agree with the list of companies. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention. Check agreement, possessives and article use, and revise longer sentences to make their structure clear.

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