Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12
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 provided graph gives information on four sector jobs such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare across the timeperiod from 1960 to 2020.
There are two job markets that show an increase over the given number of years, whereas the remaining two job areas depict a significant drop in its number of jobs.
Healthcare is the job sector that gradually increased from 5 million in 1980 to above 15 million in 2020. Another sector of jobs known as retail increased gradually from 10 million in 1980 to 15 million in 2000. The retail sector growth slowed from 2000 to 2020 which is accounted at above 15 million in 2020.
The manufacturing sector jobs plummeted from 20 million to above 15 million in 2000. This declined further in 2020 to above 10 million jobs. Initially, the agriculture job sector accounted above 5 million which decreased to below 5 million in 1980 and became unchanged in 2000. While in 2020 the agriculture sector show a slight dip to around 3 million jobs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the four economic sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020. The student provides a clear overview in the second paragraph, correctly categorising the sectors into those showing an increase and those showing a drop. Key data points, such as healthcare rising from 5 million in 1980 to above 15 million in 2020, and manufacturing plummeting from 20 million to 10 million, are accurately selected and contrasted. While some precise data points are referred to generally with phrases like 'above 15 million' rather than exact figures, the overall selection and comparison of main features are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of a Band 6.5 or solid Band 6, fulfilling the criteria well.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organised into four distinct paragraphs with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to different sectors. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'Another sector', and 'Initially' are used to connect ideas and guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related sectors together (healthcare and retail in paragraph three; manufacturing and agriculture in paragraph four). However, referencing is occasionally repetitive, and the progression between sentences could be smoother in places, placing this securely in the Band 6.5 range.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, incorporating sector-specific terms like 'manufacturing', 'retail', 'agriculture', and 'healthcare'. Less common lexical items and reporting verbs are attempted, such as 'plummeted', 'gradually increased', and 'accounted'. There are a few minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward phrasings, such as 'four sector jobs' instead of 'jobs in four sectors' and 'which is accounted at' rather than 'reaching'. However, the vocabulary is generally sufficient to convey meaning clearly, warranting a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising relative clauses ('that gradually increased') and subordinating conjunctions ('While in 2020...'). There are some minor grammatical errors and awkward structures present, such as 'the agriculture sector show a slight dip' (subject-verb agreement error with 'show') and incorrect pronoun usage in 'drop in its number of jobs' when referring to plural job markets. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, and the overall grammatical control is indicative of a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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