Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-02

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 DATA ILLUSTRATES THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIVE BEST SMALL COMPANIES THAT CAME TOP IN A SURVEY OF STAFF CONDUCTED BY NATIONAL NEWSPAPER IN BRITAIN.

OVERALL, IT IS APPARENT THAT 5TH COMPANY RECORDED THAT HIGHEST FIGURE FOR STAFF MEMBERS, WHILST 1ST POSITION HAD LOWEST VALUE FOR OVER 55 AGE GROUP. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEADING AND LEAST CATEGORIES IN TERMS OF MALE-FEMALE RATIO AND STAFF TURNOVER.

LOOKING FIRST AT SATFF NUMBERS, 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH POSTION COMPANIES RECORDED 56, 79, 72, 76 AND 190. MOREOVER, 4TH POSITION COMPANY RECORED HIGHEST MALE-FEMALE RATIO, WHILST 5TH HAD THE LOWEST DIFFERENCE IN MALE-FEMALE RATIO. 5TH COMPANY RECORDED HIGHEST NUMBER OF STAFF, MAKING IT THE MOST PROMINENT CATEGORY IN THE TABLE. THE FIGURE FOR AGE SURVEY, 3RD AND 5TH COMAPNIES HAD YOUNGER EMPLOYEE, WHICH STOOD AT 82% AND 93%, RESPECIVELY.

TURNING TO THE STAFF TURNOVER, 1ST AND 3RD RECORDED 5% AND 8%, RESPECIVELY, WHICH WAS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE FOR THE 4TH POSTION COMPANY. ADDITIONALLY, THE DATA REVEAL CLEAR RANKING OF STAFF IN HIGH INCOME BRACKET, WHERE 3RD COMPANY CONSTITUTED CONSIDERABLY HIGHEST PROPORTION 74%, THIS IS FOLLOWED BY 2ND AND 1ST POSITION IN SURVEY.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the table, covering staff numbers, age demographics, turnover, and income brackets. An overview is successfully attempted in the second paragraph, identifying key extremes such as the highest staff figure in the fifth company and the lowest value for older workers in the first position. However, some areas are under-developed or mechanically listed rather than fully compared. For instance, the discussion of staff numbers simply strings together figures without deeply integrating them into broader analytical trends. To reach a higher band, the response would need to consistently extend comparisons across all categories rather than leaving some data points isolated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to group information logically by introducing the overview first and then breaking down specific metrics in subsequent paragraphs. Paragraphing is used to separate different aspects of the data. However, referencing and cohesive devices are at times mechanical or faulty, such as abrupt transitions between sentences and repetitive structural openings like "5TH COMPANY RECORDED" and "3RD AND 5TH COMAPNIES HAD". Furthermore, the logical progression within paragraphs lacks smooth signposting, making the flow occasionally choppy. To improve, the writer should employ a wider and more flexible variety of cohesive devices to connect ideas more naturally and guide the reader effortlessly through the comparative points.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying numerical data and comparative concepts related to workplace surveys. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as "prominent category" and "proportion," though there are noticeable word-choice and word-form errors that prevent access to higher bands, such as "RECORED" instead of recorded and "COMAPNIES" instead of companies. Spelling mistakes like "RESPECIVELY" and "POSTION" also appear. While these errors do not seriously impede communication, they demonstrate limitations in lexical precision and control. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to expand the range of vocabulary used and ensure greater accuracy in spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating that the writer can structure basic comparative clauses and compound sentences. There are some error-free sentences, particularly when stating straightforward figures. However, a noticeable number of grammatical and mechanical errors persist throughout the text, including frequent omissions of necessary articles (e.g., "FOR STAFF MEMBERS", "WHILST 1ST POSITION HAD LOWEST VALUE") and capitalization issues throughout the entire response. Punctuation and minor structural slips also occur within complex patterns. These errors rarely impede overall communication, but they restrict the response to a moderate band. To improve, the writer should focus on article usage, consistent sentence capitalization, and tighter control over grammatical structures.

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