Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-07
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 illustrates the change in the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy; manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare in the US over tge period from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, it is clear that retail and healthcare showed upward trend, while agriculture displayed downward trend throughout the period. The most notable feature is that the gap between retail and healthcare narrowed considerably, and both intersected in 2020.
In 1960, manufacturing stood at 15 millions. It then, rose sharply to reach a peak of 20 millions in 1980, before declining gradualy to around 13 millions by the end of the period.
In contrast, retail and healthcare grew dramatically during the period, but still did not experience the peak. Unlike, agriculture decreased from 6 millions to reach almost 3 millions in 1980. After that, it remained relatively flat from 1980 to 2000, defore dipping to its lowest point of approximately 2 millions in 2020.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main trends and providing relevant data points. The overview is clear and highlights the key contrast between the sectors. However, the analysis is somewhat limited; for instance, the description of the manufacturing sector is accurate, but the comparison of the other three sectors could be more detailed. The student successfully identifies the intersection point in 2020, which is a key feature. To reach a higher band, the student should ensure that all data points mentioned are precise and that the comparison between sectors is more consistently integrated throughout the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'After that', and 'while' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is appropriate, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the data. The progression of ideas is clear, although the transition between the description of manufacturing and the other sectors could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally accurate, though some minor mechanical issues in sentence structure slightly affect the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'upward trend', 'declining gradually', and 'intersected'. There are some spelling errors ('tge', 'gradualy', 'defore') and minor word choice issues, such as 'did not experience the peak' which is slightly ambiguous in this context. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding the range of synonyms for describing trends and ensuring accurate spelling would improve the score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as '15 millions' (should be '15 million'), 'Unlike, agriculture decreased' (incorrect usage of 'unlike'), and missing articles. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but the control over these is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of quantifiers would significantly enhance the grammatical accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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