Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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 illustrates data about the number of employed people in four sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, manufacturing was the leading sector at the beginning, which climbed for some time, then steadily dropped. Healthcare and retail showed almost the same trend. Nevertheless, agriculture failed to show any upward trajectory.

Looking at the chart, manufacturing started at 15% in 1960 and reached the top value of 20% in 1980. Subsequently, it dropped to 16% by 2020. On the other hand, retail and agriculture, both commenced at the same point of almost 6% but moved in opposite directions over the period. Retail depicted a continuous uptrend and culminated above 15% by the end of 2020.

Contrary to this, agriculture declined to less than 5% in two decades. It leveled off for the next twenty years and again declined to 2% by the end of the duration. However, starting from 2%, healthcare surged steadily to the top of the chart joining retail at 16% by the end of the second decade of the 21st century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and highlighting the main features and trends of the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. The response accurately reports data points, such as manufacturing starting at 15% and reaching a peak of 20% in 1980, and compares the trajectories of retail and agriculture effectively. The overview captures the broader picture well, noting how manufacturing initially led before declining while healthcare and retail shared similar upward trends. The information is relevant and well-selected, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout the report. Information is grouped logically by sector trends across the paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, with transition markers such as 'Overall', 'Subsequently', 'On the other hand', and 'Contrary to this' guiding the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the introduction, overall summary, and body paragraphs detailing specific data. Referencing is generally clear, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing that earns a solid Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'upward trajectory', 'continuous uptrend', and 'surged steadily' demonstrate an ability to use less common items and control collocation. There are minor slips in vocabulary choice, such as 'retail and agriculture, both commenced at the same point of almost 6% but moved in opposite directions', where retail actually started lower than agriculture according to typical chart parameters, but lexical control remains adequate to convey the trends successfully. The vocabulary range easily satisfies the Band 7 criteria.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating frequent error-free sentences. Structures like 'manufacturing was the leading sector at the beginning, which climbed for some time, then steadily dropped' and 'starting from 2%, healthcare surged steadily to the top' show control over subordinate clauses and participial phrases. Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate with only minor slips, and errors do not impede communication. The control of grammar aligns well with a Band 7 descriptor.

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