Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given line graph illustrates the number of jobs across four different economic sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, healthcare experienced a steady upward trend over the 60-year period to become the dominant employment sector, whereas manufacturing saw a sharp decline after an initial peak. Meanwhile, retail jobs grew moderately, and agriculture consistently accounted for the lowest number of workers.

In 1960, manufacturing was by far the largest sector, reaching the top of the charts with around 15 million jobs. Following behind were retail and healthcare, which recorded similar initial figures of roughly 3 to 5 million, while agriculture had the lowest employment at just over 1 million. Over the next two decades, manufacturing peaked in 1980 at approximately 20 million jobs before entering a steep decline, eventually falling to around 5 million by 2020.

Conversely, the healthcare sector grew steadily, surpassing both retail and manufacturing to top the chart at over 20 million jobs by 2020. Retail employment saw moderate growth before leveling off at around 10 to 12 million. Finally, agricultural employment remained on par with the lowest figures throughout the six decades, remaining relatively flat under 3 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends, such as the rise of healthcare and the decline of manufacturing, and supported these with specific data points from the graph. The comparisons between sectors are well-integrated, particularly when contrasting the growth of healthcare with the decline of manufacturing. The information is accurate and covers the entire period from 1960 to 2020. There are no significant omissions, and the selection of key features is logical and well-structured, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific trends. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Meanwhile', 'Conversely', and 'Following behind', which help the reader navigate the information smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between the different sectors is clearly established throughout the text. The flow of information is natural and coherent, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'steady upward trend', 'dominant employment sector', 'sharp decline', and 'leveling off' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or varied synonyms for 'jobs' or 'growth' could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of participial phrases ('surpassing both retail and manufacturing') and subordinate clauses. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense usage, particularly when describing past trends and current states, is consistent and accurate. The writing is error-free, which demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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