Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
THE LINE GRAPH PRESENTS DATA RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF OCCUPATIONS IN FOUR DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1960 TO 2020.
OVERALL, JOBS IN MANUFACTURING WAS HIGHEST INTIALLY BUT THEN IT FOLLOWED A DECREASING TREND. HEALTHCARE WAS THE LEAST CHOSEN JOB SECTOR IN THE BEGNING BUT IT HAD A SHARP RISE AFTERWARDS ALSO IT SURPASSED THE AGRICULTURE JOBS.
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING WAS THE HIGHEST FROM REST OF THE FIELDS FROM 1960 TO 1980 ACCOUNTED FOR 15 MILLION JOBS TO 20 MILLION JOBS RESPECTIVELY. AFTERWARDS IT DECLINED GRADUALLY AND STOOD AT AROUND 12 MILLION JOBS.
REATILS ALSO SHOWED SHARP INCREASE FROM AROUND 6 MILLION JOBS IN 1960 TO 15 MILLION JOBS IN 2000 AND AFTER THAT IT STAYED ALMOST PLATEUED FOR A DECADE AND STOOD AT JUST OVER 15 MILLION JOBS. MOREOVER, AGRICULTURE RELATED WORK WAS DECLINED OVER THE GIVEN PERIOD. WHEREAS HEALTHCARE WAS INCREASED SHARPLY FROM JUST OVER 1 MILLION JOBS TO 15 MILLION JOBS AND IT ALSO OVERTOOK AGRICULTURE IN 1980.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overall trends of manufacturing and healthcare. Key data points are accurately cited, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 and retail reaching 16 million in 2020. However, there are minor inaccuracies in data interpretation, such as stating healthcare started from 'just over 1 million' when it started around 2 million, and a few minor typos in data labels like 'REATILS'. Overall, the response is well-supported with relevant figures, earning a solid Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then body paragraphs detailing specific sectors. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'OVERALL', 'AFTERWARDS', 'REATILS ALSO', and 'MOREOVER'. However, paragraphing is slightly unconventional, with the overview integrated into the second paragraph rather than standing alone or forming a distinct introductory block, and the use of all-caps throughout the text detracts slightly from the professional presentation. Referencing and progression are generally clear, though transitions between sentences can feel a bit mechanical. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range appropriate for Task 1, employing terms such as 'decreasing trend', 'sharply rise', 'declined gradually', and 'plateued'. There are some spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'INTIALLY' (initially), 'BEGNING' (beginning), and 'REATILS' (retail), as well as minor collocation slips like 'jobs in manufacturing was highest'. Despite these errors, communication is not impeded, and the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the trends accurately, justifying a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures like 'while healthcare was increased sharply'. Grammatical control is variable; there are noticeable errors such as subject-verb agreement issues ('jobs in manufacturing was highest', 'healthcare was increased') and awkward passives. Punctuation is also affected by the use of all-caps text. While complex structures are attempted, they frequently contain errors that require some effort from the reader to untangle, placing this firmly at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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