Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05

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 6.0)

The line graph illustrate how employment numbers fluctuated across four different economic sectors in the United States over a 60-year period from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that retail and healthcare experienced an upward trend over the period shown. while manufacturing and agriculture saw a significant decline. additionally retail and healthcare remained highest category throughout the entire time frame.

In 1960, manufacturing was the leading employer in the US, accounting for 15 million jobs. This figure experienced a significant rise over the next two decades, reaching a peak of 20 million in 1980. However, manufacturing employment declined steadily after 1980, dropping to 17 million in 2000 and finishing at approximately 13 million by 2020. By contrast, agriculture started much lower at roughly 6 million jobs in 1960. It experienced an immediate, sharp drop to around 3 million in 1980 and remained relatively stable until 2000, before a final gradual decrease brought it down to just 2 million by 2020.

Conversely, the fields of retail and healthcare both experienced substantial long-term growth. Retail employment began at about 6 million jobs in 1960, matching agriculture. It then expanded gradually to 10 million in 1980 and continued its upward trajectory to reach 16 million by 2020, making it the leading employment sector at the end of the period. Healthcare saw the most dramatic growth overall; it was initially the smallest sector with only 2 million jobs in 1960. From there, healthcare positions climbed consistently to 5 million in 1980, surged to 11 million in 2000, and ultimately skyrocketed to 16 million in 2020, finishing tied with retail as the top employer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies and reports the main features of the graph. You have successfully highlighted the contrasting trends between the declining sectors (manufacturing and agriculture) and the growing sectors (retail and healthcare). The data is well-selected, with specific figures used to support the descriptions. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the overall trends. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the comparison between sectors is logical and relevant throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group the data by trend. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Conversely', and 'However' are used effectively to signal shifts in the narrative. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the declining sectors from the growing ones. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the information is easy to follow. There are minor issues with capitalization (e.g., 'while' and 'additionally' starting sentences), but these do not detract from the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report, using terms like 'upward trajectory', 'fluctuated', 'substantial long-term growth', and 'skyrocketed'. The use of vocabulary is generally precise and helps convey the trends clearly. There are a few minor errors in word choice or capitalization, such as 'highest category' (should be 'the highest categories') and the failure to capitalize the start of sentences after periods. However, the range is sufficient to show flexibility and precision in describing the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a variety of complex sentence structures effectively. You demonstrate good control over grammar, with the majority of sentences being error-free. There are some punctuation and capitalization errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters ('while', 'additionally') and a subject-verb agreement error in the first sentence ('The line graph illustrate' should be 'illustrates'). Despite these occasional slips, the grammatical control is strong, and the errors do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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