Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 compares the number of occupations in four sectors of the US industry from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, manufacturing dominated in the number of workers, while the opposite was true for healthcare. Additionally, the number staffs who worked in the healthcare and retail increased over the period, whereas manufacturing and agriculture experienced decreases.

Starting with the categories, which was seen significant drop, in 1960, manufacturing started at 15 million workers. Despite moderate growth to 20 million in 1980, it fell suddenly to about 13 million in 2020. Similarly, the number of staff in agriculture was recorded at almost 6 million people in 1960. However, it declined smoothly to approximately 3 million.

Turning to other sectors that increased, retail stood at roughly 6 million workers at the beginning of the year. It climbed dramatically to about 16 million. Although healthcare possessed around 3 million once, it rose considerably to 16 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all main features of the graph, outlining trends across the four economic sectors over the sixty-year period. The overview correctly identifies the dominant sector (manufacturing initially, shifting later) and the overall upward trajectories for healthcare and retail compared to the downward trends in manufacturing and agriculture. Key data points, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 and healthcare reaching 16 million by 2020, are accurately reported and supported with appropriate comparisons. While some minor details are omitted or generalised, the task is fully addressed in line with Band 7 requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organised into four paragraphs, following a clear progression from introduction to overview and detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Overall', 'Additionally', 'Starting with', and 'Turning to other sectors'. However, referencing and transitions are occasionally slightly mechanical or awkward, as seen in 'Starting with the categories, which was seen significant drop'. Paragraphing is handled well, ensuring each section serves a distinct function.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms like 'dominated', 'trajectories', 'dramatically', and 'considerably'. However, there are some noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'number staffs' instead of 'number of staff', and 'beginning of the year' instead of 'beginning of the period'. Less common lexical items are attempted with mixed success, placing the vocabulary firmly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and subordinate structures like 'Although healthcare possessed around 3 million once, it rose considerably'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'which was seen significant drop' and 'number staffs who worked in the healthcare and retail increased', which slightly disrupt the flow. Nonetheless, these errors do not impede communication, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.