Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of jobs across the four major sectors of the economy in the US over the period of 60 years starting from 1960.

Overall, the areas whose data is presented are manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare. The economy sector which remained dominant in the US is the manufacturing area; meanwhile the agriculture sector recruits the lowest employees. While the statistics for the healthcare department showed a consistent surge in the number of jobs, the manufacturing department showed a rise before a decline. The agriculture area provided significantly fewer jobs before stabilizing its figure. Similarly, the retail department increased its employment ratio before it became relatively stable.

In 1960, the jobs were around 15 million which rose to 20 million in 1980 before dropping to 13 million by the end of 2020. Healthcare department dramatically continued to give more jobs than previous data reaching from 2.5 million to 16 million.

Between 1960 and 2000, the retail area granted more jobs showing an equal rise of 5 million after 2 decades each, which then remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2020. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector employed around 3 million people, which is half of what it was in 1960. From 1980 to 2020, it was relatively stable showing an unnoticeable change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully reports the main features and trends of the four sectors shown in the graph. The overview clearly identifies the dominant sector (manufacturing) and the lowest (agriculture), alongside the general trajectories of healthcare, retail, and agriculture. Key data points are cited correctly, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 and healthcare surging to 16 million. However, some minor inaccuracies occur, such as stating that manufacturing jobs were around 15 million in 1960 (which is correct) but overlooking certain nuances, and the overview sentence 'Overall, the areas whose data is presented are manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare' is a mechanical restatement rather than a true synthesis of main trends. Nevertheless, all parts of the task are addressed adequately, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific data details. Cohesive devices such as 'meanwhile', 'while', 'similarly', and 'between 1960 and 2000' are employed to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate general trends from specific statistical breakdowns. However, some referencing and transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical, such as the frequent reliance on 'Meanwhile' to introduce new points. Overall progression is clear throughout, supporting a solid Band 7.0 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, successfully employing terms like 'sector', 'dominant', 'surge', 'stable', and 'employment ratio'. Less common vocabulary and collocation attempts are visible, such as 'consistent surge' and 'relatively stable'. However, there are some awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'recruits the lowest employees' (agriculture employs the fewest workers) and 'granted more jobs' instead of 'provided more jobs'. These minor lexical slips prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'While the statistics for the healthcare department showed a consistent surge...'). There is a good variety of tense usage covering past trends and states. However, several grammatical inaccuracies and awkward constructions appear throughout the text, such as 'the areas whose data is presented' and 'stabilizing its figure'. Punctuation is generally sound, and errors do not impede communication, making this a clear Band 6.0 performance.

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