Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23

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 chart illustrates the number of employments in four different sectors of the US economy from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that the manufacturing industries has highest employment figures initially. In contrast retail and agriculture industries had lowest starting figures but they both end with a sharp boost in their employment throughout the period.

In 1960, manufacturing industry ranked highest among all other categories provided approximately 15 million jobs. However this figures dropped gradually over the period in 2020. While the agriculture industry had fewer positions which is just over 5 million in 1960 this figure is no more maintained or dropped marginally at 2020.

The retail industry began with just over 5 million job positions which climbed significantly from 1960 to 2000. However this figure remained steady to its ending year 2020. As compared to health care industry beginning with lowest stats roundabout 0.3 million positions in 1960 which climbed sharply and touch to 15 million throughout the year 2020

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and trends of the four sectors between 1960 and 2020. An overview is present, identifying that manufacturing started highest while others had different trajectories. However, there are some inaccuracies in reading the data: for instance, the student states that retail and agriculture industries both end with a sharp boost, whereas agriculture actually declined steadily to 2 million by 2020. Additionally, healthcare is described as starting at 'roundabout 0.3 million' rather than the starting point of 2 million shown in the data. The selection of data is generally relevant, but the minor data misinterpretations place this response comfortably at Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs covering specific data points. Progression is generally clear, though paragraphing and transitions could be smoother. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'In 1960', and 'However' are used to connect ideas, but some referencing and linking feels slightly mechanical or abrupt. For example, the transition between sentences in the final paragraph lacks smooth integration. Paragraphing is adequate and the overall structure is coherent enough to follow without difficulty, earning a solid Band 6.5 or 6.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student attempts a range of vocabulary appropriate to the task, using terms like 'industries', 'categories', 'positions', 'gradually', and 'significantly'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation errors, such as 'number of employments' instead of 'number of jobs', 'manufacturing industries has highest' (subject-verb agreement/word form), and 'remain steady to its ending year'. Spelling and word formation are mostly fine, but inaccuracies in phrasing and occasional awkward word choices limit the lexical score to a Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'While' and 'As compared to'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including missing articles ('manufacturing industry ranked highest'), punctuation omissions (missing commas after introductory phrases), and agreement issues ('this figures dropped'). Furthermore, some complex structures are clumsy or run-on, such as 'As compared to health care industry beginning with lowest stats... which climbed sharply and touch to 15 million'. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, reflecting Band 5.5 performance.

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.