Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 given line chart tracks the changes in the number of jobs in four economic sectors in the US from year 1960 to year 2020.

Overall, retail and healthcare sectors have seen an increase in the number of jobs while in agriculture, there is declline in the number of jobs. However, manufactuing sector has shown a different trend.

In the year 1960, manufacturing was offering the highest number of jobs out of all four economic sectors. In 1980 this number was increased even more with over 20 million jobs. Subsequently, this trend declined to less than 15 million jobs by 2020. Agriculture sector offered over 5 million jobs in 1960. After that the number decreased subtly to less than 2.5 million.

On the other hand, Retail was the sector with fewer number of jobs than other three sectors. However, it increased steadily reaching over 15 million jobs being offered in 2020. Healthcare sector too offered over 15 million jobs in year 2020. In year 1960 the number of jobs in healthcare were similar to that of agriculture but afterwards they followed a diffrent trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by providing a clear overview and reporting the main trends for all four economic sectors shown in the graph. The overview captures the growth in retail and healthcare, the decline in agriculture, and notes that the manufacturing sector displayed a distinct trajectory. Key data points are accurately cited, such as manufacturing peaking in 1980 at around 20 million jobs before falling to 13 million by 2020, and retail and healthcare both reaching approximately 16 million jobs in 2020. The comparisons made between sectors, particularly regarding healthcare and agriculture starting at similar points in 1960 and diverging thereafter, are relevant and effectively supported by the visual data. Overall, the task is well-executed, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is organized logically with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and well-divided body paragraphs addressing different sectors. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the data, utilizing transition words such as 'Overall', 'Subsequently', and 'On the other hand'. However, paragraphing could be slightly refined, as the overview paragraph contains an incomplete sentence fragment ('However, manufactuing sector has shown a different trend.') which disrupts the flow before the body paragraphs begin. Referencing is generally clear, though minor improvements in paragraph transitions would elevate the structural cohesion to a higher band level. These features comfortably place the response in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, employing terms like 'economic sectors', 'trend', 'declined', and 'steadily'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with varying degrees of success, accompanied by some noticeable spelling errors ('declline', 'manufactuing', 'diffrent') and slight awkwardness in phrasing, such as 'fewer number of jobs than other three sectors' instead of 'the lowest number of jobs'. Despite these lexical slips and spelling inaccuracies, communication is never impeded, and the vocabulary is sufficiently functional to convey precise trends from the chart, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over past and present tense narration required for trend analysis. Examples include 'In the year 1960, manufacturing was offering the highest number of jobs...' and 'Retail was the sector with fewer number of jobs...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'the number of jobs in healthcare were similar' (subject-verb agreement error with 'jobs' and 'were') and missing articles ('In year 1960'). Complex structures are attempted but sometimes result in minor grammatical inaccuracies. Nevertheless, the meaning remains clear throughout, making this a clear Band 6.0 performance.

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