Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08

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 figure shows the data about the number of jobs in four distinct sectors of the economy in the United States from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, Manufacturing started off with the highest number compared to the other three but dropped significantly after 1980 while retail and healthcare gradually increased. Moreover, even though agriculture-related job opportunities started with a number similar to retail, they stayed the lowest in number throughout the years.

Firstly, Manufacturing jobs started off with 15 million in the year 1960, recording the highest of all the other three sectors in 1980(20 million) and dropped to less than 15 million in 2020. Moreover, the retail sector started from less than 10 million in 1960 and gradually increased to around 16 million in 2020. Healthcare jobs were the lowest (less than 5 million) in 1960 but increased sharply from 1980 to 2020 resulting in similar numbers to retail.

Secondly, agriculture had the lowest job numbers among the other sectors, less than 10 million throughout the years from 1980 to 2020. In 1960, it started at a similar level to retail (more than 5 million) but stayed almost identical throughout the years(less than 5 million).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all four sectors and identifies key trends such as the decline in manufacturing and the growth in healthcare. The overview is clear and highlights the main features effectively. However, the data reporting is slightly inconsistent; for instance, the description of agriculture is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision regarding the specific start and end points. While the main features are selected, the comparison between sectors could be more integrated to better demonstrate the relationships between the categories over the 60-year period. Overall, the response fulfills the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Firstly', and 'Secondly' are used to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is appropriate, and there is a clear progression of ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing of data points could be smoother to improve the flow between sentences. The structure is sufficient to ensure the information is easy to follow throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'distinct sectors', 'recording the highest', and 'increased sharply' used correctly. There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though it remains somewhat functional. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise collocations and varied reporting verbs to avoid repetition of phrases like 'started off' and 'number of jobs'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning clearly without significant errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'highest of all the other three sectors' (which is slightly redundant) and minor punctuation issues with parentheses. However, the majority of sentences are error-free, and the meaning is never obscured. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is generally good, though the variety of complex structures could be expanded to demonstrate higher proficiency.

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.