Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 line chart delineates the changes in the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020, illustrating the overall trends throughout the given period.

A comprehensive overview reveals that healthcare and agriculture moved in broadly opposite directions over the period, with healthcare ending considerably higher than agriculture by the year 2020, despite starting from a different position in 1960.

In 1960, retail stood at 6 million, while manufacturing was at 15. Over the following years, retail rose to 16 million in 2020, whereas manufacturing fell 13 million over the same period, widening the gap between the two.

The most notable shift occurred in 2020, when healthcare rose to 16 million, its highest point in the period, while retail in contrast also moved to 16 million. From 1960 onwards, agriculture continued to fall at around 3 million, consistently lower than retail, which rose to finish at 16 million by year 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, including trends and comparisons. However, the analysis is somewhat limited. While you identify the starting and ending points, the description of the trends lacks detail regarding the fluctuations or specific periods of change. For instance, stating that manufacturing 'fell 13 million' is a good use of data, but the overall summary could be more precise in highlighting the intersection points or the relative rankings of the sectors over time. The overview is clear, but the body paragraphs could be better structured to group the sectors logically (e.g., those that increased versus those that decreased) to provide a more cohesive analytical narrative.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and supporting body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'while', and 'in contrast' helps to link ideas effectively. However, the progression between the second and third paragraphs feels slightly disjointed. The transition from the general overview to the specific data points could be smoother. Additionally, the referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be improved by ensuring each paragraph focuses on a distinct thematic group of data rather than mixing sectors, which would enhance the overall flow and logical progression of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information clearly. Phrases such as 'delineates the changes', 'comprehensive overview', and 'widening the gap' are used appropriately. There is some awareness of style, though the vocabulary remains somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or varied synonyms for 'rose' and 'fell' (e.g., 'experienced a downward trajectory' or 'witnessed a significant surge'). The current range is adequate for the task, but lacks the sophistication or flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the opening sentence and the comparative clauses. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. However, there are minor issues with clarity, such as 'manufacturing fell 13 million over the same period', which is slightly ambiguous regarding the starting point. While you show control over grammar, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Increasing the variety of subordinate clauses or using more advanced passive constructions would help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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.