Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 employees in four different sectors of the economy in the United States between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, the number of jobs in retail and healthcare increased, while the number of jobs in manufacturing and agriculture decreased over the period.

At the beginning, the number of jobs in retail increased steadily over the six decades from about six million jobs in 1960 to approximately sixteen million in 2020. Similarly, the number of jobs in healthcare increased dramatically over six decades from about two million in 1960 to sixteen million in 2020.

In contrast, the number of jobs in manufacturing increased steadily over two decades from fifteen million in 1960 to twenty million in 1980, and it decreased dramatically over four decades from twenty million in 1980 to approximately thirteen million in 2020, while the number of jobs in agriculture decreased dramatically from approximately six million in 1960 to three million in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the four economic sectors over the 60-year span. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, correctly identifying the overall upward trends in retail and healthcare alongside the downward trends in manufacturing and agriculture. The data cited, such as retail rising from six million to sixteen million and manufacturing peaking at twenty million in 1980 before declining, are accurate according to the visual reference. The response is well-structured and fully satisfies the requirements for Task Achievement, earning a solid Band 7.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, featuring a clear introduction, a concise overview paragraph, and well-defined body paragraphs dedicated to contrasting groups of sectors. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the data, with phrases like 'Overall', 'At the beginning', 'Similarly', and 'In contrast' establishing clear relationships between ideas. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate, ensuring a smooth progression of information from start to finish. Although cohesion is sometimes slightly formulaic, it meets the standard for Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends and figures flexibly, using terms such as 'steadily', 'dramatically', 'approximately', and 'sectors of the economy'. While the vocabulary is generally appropriate for an academic report, it occasionally relies on repetitive phrasing, such as repeating 'the number of jobs increased dramatically' multiple times. Less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success, though there are minor limitations in lexical variety that prevent a higher band. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate for clear communication, aligning with Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writing incorporates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses of time and contrast (e.g., 'while the number of jobs in agriculture decreased dramatically...'). Grammatical control is generally strong, with many error-free sentences, particularly when handling complex chronological data and numerical quantities. Punctuation is accurate, and punctuation errors do not impede communication. The control over complex structures and overall sentence variety place this response comfortably in the Band 7.0 category.

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