Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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 proportion of number of jobs in millions in four sectors of the economy- manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, number of jobs in all the four sectors showed sharp rise and fall in the figures. Manufacturing witnessed the highest number of jobs in 1980 whereas Agriculture experienced the lowest figures in the same year. However other two sectors showed a continuous increase in the number of jobs over a period of sixty years.

The number of jobs in manufacturing sector increases from15 millions in 1960 before reaching its highest peak to 20 millions in 1980. Afterwards the figures fall to 18 millions approximately in 2000 followed by 8 millions aproximately in 2020. However, retails showed a downward trend reaching its lowest figures at 3 millions approximately in 1980 and therefore experienced stable number of jobs.

On the other hand, agriculture and healthcare witnessed an upward trend. Number of jobs increased from 5 millions in 1960 to 15 millions in 2000 in agriculture sector thereafter attained an equilibrium. Whereas healthcare accounted for 3 millions jobs in 1960 followed by 10 millions in 1980 .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all four sectors of the economy and identifies major trends and key features across the specified time frame. The overview correctly attempts to capture the general movements, noting the sharp rises and falls. However, there are some noticeable inaccuracies in data reporting compared to standard chart interpretations. For instance, the text claims that retail showed a downward trend reaching its lowest figures at 3 million approximately in 1980 and therefore experienced stable number of jobs, whereas retail actually experienced substantial growth in reality, or the description of agriculture attaining an equilibrium when it showed a decline. Nevertheless, all parts of the task are addressed, and main comparisons are attempted, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into four paragraphs, following a logical structure with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'thereafter' are utilized to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. However, referencing and progression are occasionally faulty, as seen in abrupt transitions and confused relationships between data points, such as the misuse of 'However, retails showed a downward trend'. Overall progression is coherent enough to secure a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a task of this type, using terms such as 'proportion', 'sector', 'trend', 'downward', and 'upward'. Attempts at less common lexical items are present, but there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'highest peak to 20 millions' (redundant phrasing), 'retails' instead of 'retail', and 'attained an equilibrium'. Spelling is generally acceptable ('approximately' has a typo as 'aproximately'), and errors do not severely impede communication. This performance aligns well with the Band 6.0 descriptors for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures such as time clauses and participial phrases ('followed by 8 millions aproximately in 2020'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, such as missing articles ('proportion of number of jobs', 'in manufacturing sector'), incorrect prepositions ('reaches from 15 millions'), and singular/plural mismatches ('retails showed'). Despite these errors, the meaning remains mostly clear and communication is not heavily impeded. This warrants a Band 5.5 for grammatical range and accuracy.

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