Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04
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 chart illustrates the data about the number of job opportunities in four sectors of the economy in the United States from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, millions of Jobs in the manufacturing, agriculture, retail and healthcare sectors were introduced in the US market over these 60 years. Although the figure decreased for manufacturing and agriculture nevertheless, the opportunities in the other two sectors increased massively.
The jobs in retail and healthcare industry were over five million and two million respectively in 1960. This number rose steadily over next years making it to 10 million and 5 million in 1980. With further increase in 2000, both these job markets were recorded above 15 million with approximately the same number of jobs.
On the other hand manufacturing industry offered 15 million jobs. This figure increased to 20 million in 1980 and then plummeted to below 15 million in 2020. Agriculture had slightly over 5 million jobs in 1960 which reduced to around 4 million in 1980, stayed the same in 2000 and then decreased a bit more.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview of the main trends across the four economic sectors in the US from 1960 to 2020. Key features and comparisons are clearly reported, such as the dramatic rise in healthcare and retail alongside the decline in manufacturing and agriculture. The overview is well-placed and accurate, and the data is generally used correctly to support the claims, reflecting the upper end of task achievement. However, some minor data points could be slightly more precise, which keeps the response from reaching a higher band. Overall, the ideas are extended and supported well throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs focusing on different sectors. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'On the other hand' and 'Although', to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing and transitions are generally clear, a slightly more flexible use of cohesive patterns would be needed to push beyond this level. Overall, the logical structure maintains clarity from start to finish.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'plummeted', 'opportunities', and 'sectors'. There are some successful word choices and collocations, though minor inaccuracies appear, such as writing 'manufacturing industry offered' instead of 'the manufacturing sector employed' or similar phrasing. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the descriptions easily. To reach the next band, a wider and more precise range of vocabulary with fewer awkward collocations would be required.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with adequate control over basic structures and tenses. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as the missing comma after the introductory dependent clause 'Although the figure decreased for manufacturing and agriculture nevertheless', which misuses punctuation and conjunctions. Other minor slips occur occasionally, but they rarely impede communication. The writer demonstrates a reasonable attempt at complex structures, but persistent minor errors in punctuation and preposition use prevent the grammar score from rising higher.
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.