Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16
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 tracks the information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the United States from 1960 to 2020. The data has been measured in millions.
To start with, manufacturing had the highest number of jobs in us economy in 1960 which was 15 million. It increased by 5 million in 1980 and it decreased in 2020 and remained 13 million approximately. Jobs in healthcare was least in initial years which was about 2 million and increased sharply and ended up with 16 million jobs in latter year.
Moving further, In 1960, jobs in agricullture and retail were same that was 6 million jobs. Jobs in agriculture deacreased rapidly and remained about 2 million and jobs in retail sector increased rapidly and ended with 16 million jobs in latter year.
Overall, it can be seen clearly that manufacturing sector contributed with highest jobs and and agriculture with the least. The US Economy fluctuated too much during initial and latter years
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by reporting the main features of the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. The response provides relevant data points, such as manufacturing starting at 15 million in 1960 and peaking at 20 million in 1980, and correctly notes the general trends like the upward trajectory of healthcare and retail alongside the decline in agriculture. An overview is present at the end, summarising the overall highest and lowest sectors. However, some minor data approximations are slightly imprecise (e.g., stating manufacturing remained 13 million 'approximately' in 2020 when it reads 13 million), and the overview could be more fully integrated. Overall, the task is handled competently, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 or solid 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, body paragraphs addressing different sectors, and an overall concluding summary. Cohesive devices are utilized to guide the reader through the data, such as 'To start with', 'Moving further', and 'Overall'. However, referencing and paragraph flow can be slightly mechanical. For example, some transitions feel abrupt, and the grouping of information could be tightened for smoother progression. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but overall cohesion occasionally lacks natural flexibility, placing this clearly in the Band 6 territory.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with appropriate data-reporting terms such as 'increased sharply', 'decreased rapidly', and 'sector'. There are a few spelling errors, such as 'agricullture' and 'deacreased', as well as minor stylistic issues like 'latter year' instead of 'the latter part of the period'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'fluctuated', but word choices are sometimes repetitive ('jobs in agriculture', 'jobs in retail'). The range is sufficient to communicate the main points, but errors in spelling and word formation prevent it from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('which was 15 million') and subordinate clauses. However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as 'tracks the information about' instead of 'illustrates data on', missing articles ('Jobs in healthcare was least', where subject-verb agreement is also flawed), and run-on structures like 'highest jobs and and agriculture with the least'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor errors in grammar and article usage mean that error-free sentences are not in the majority.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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