Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-19

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 data depict the five best small companies in Britain to work for, according to a survey of staff, which was conducted by a national newspaper.

Overall, the first company by position has the lowest number of employees and percentage of staff turnover, and this number increases with the rank. Surprisingly, the ratio of male staffs is higher in 3rd company, with recording the highest staff in high income bracket.

In terms of staff numbers, 5th company employs the greatest number of workers at 190, whilst the 1st company has the least at 56. This figure for other companies ranges bertween 72 and 79. The difference in genders of workers is mostly noticed in 4th company, with 13% and 87% of males and females. However, 5th company has almost equal percentage of both genders.

With regard to age, workers aged over 55 are only employed in 2nd and 4th companies, with a percnetage of 1% and 8%, respectively. Nevertheless, the proportion staffs, who are less than 35 years old, are higher in every company, particularly 5th one (93%), but 4th records least percentage at 26%. The percentages of staff turnover, moreover, are significantly lower in all companies, ecxcept 5th one (33%), each recording below 20%. Finally, the greatest proportion of staff in high income bracket is seen in 3rd company at 74%, whereas 4th and 5th company represent the least at 5% and 2%, in order.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main categories and gives a clear overview, noting that the first-ranked company has the fewest employees and lowest turnover, while the fifth has the most staff and highest turnover. It also selects useful contrasts, such as the third company’s 74% high-income share and the fourth company’s 13:87 gender ratio. These accurate, relevant comparisons show more than a basic listing of figures. However, the overview’s claim that turnover “increases with the rank” is unclear and not supported as a consistent pattern: the rates are 5%, 18%, 8%, 13% and 33%. Some features are also less fully compared; for example, the high-income figures for the first and second companies are omitted. A more precise overview and fuller synthesis would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a generally logical sequence: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs on staffing and gender, then age, turnover and income. This makes the table’s categories easy to follow, and transitions such as “In terms of” and “With regard to” help signal topic changes. However, the final paragraph combines several distinct comparisons, so the discussion of age, turnover and income feels crowded. Some linking is mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “However,” “Nevertheless,” and “Finally.” The reference in “this number increases with the rank” is also unclear because it is not obvious whether “number” means staff or turnover. Grouping related comparisons more selectively and using clearer references would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “staff turnover,” “proportion,” “employs,” and “high income bracket.” These terms allow the writer to report the main data and make comparisons. There are, however, several inaccurate or awkward choices that reduce precision: “male staffs” is not the natural form, “the proportion staffs” is incomplete, and “in order” is unsuitable for presenting the final figures. Spelling errors such as “bertween,” “percnetage,” and “ecxcept” are noticeable, although the intended meaning remains clear. Aim for more consistent collocations and accurate spelling, and use precise comparative language rather than vague phrases such as “this number increases.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “whilst,” “with regard to,” and “whereas.” Most sentences communicate the intended comparisons, and the response uses present-tense reporting consistently. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “with recording the highest staff in high income bracket” has an incomplete structure, while “the proportion staffs, who are less than 35 years old” has faulty noun and relative-clause construction. In “4th company represent the least,” the subject–verb agreement is incorrect, and several company references need articles or clearer noun phrases. These errors rarely prevent understanding, but checking sentence structure, agreement and article use would make the report more controlled.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.