Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 illustrate the number of jobs, in millions, in four sectors of the economy in the United States from 1960 till 2020.

Overall, there are four major sectors namely Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture and Healthcare. The highest job providing sector was manufacturing and lowest was healthcare in 1960. However, in 2020, the highest jobs are provided combined by healthcare and retail, while the lowest was agriculture. The manufacturing and agriculture has decreased over the years, while retail and healthcare rose in the time period.

The manufacturing sector provided 15 million jobs in 1960, which increased steadily to 20 million till 1980 before decreasing constantly to around 17 million in 2000 and around 13 million in 2020. In contrast, the retail sector has increased steadily over the time period from 6 million in 1960, 10 million in 1980, 15 million in 2000 and around 16 million in 2020.

The agriculture sector, however have seen slight decrease from 6 million in 1960 to around 4 million in 1980. After that, the graph displays stability till 2000 and and slight decrease to around 3 million in 2020. Lastly, the healthcare sector has increased sharply across these 60 years, from around 3 million in 1960, to 5 million in 1980, 11 million and around 16 million in 2000 and 2020 respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover all four sectors and provide a clear overview of the main changes: manufacturing and agriculture decline overall, while retail and healthcare rise. The comparisons at the beginning and the supporting figures make the key trends easy to identify. Most reported values are close to the chart, but healthcare starts at about 2 million, not 3 million, and agriculture is about 3 million in 1980 and 2000, rather than 4 million in 1980. The overview also says manufacturing and agriculture “has decreased,” although the manufacturing series first rises before falling. To strengthen the response further, describe that initial rise explicitly and ensure the overview distinguishes overall direction from changes within the period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a useful sequence: introduction, overview, then details for manufacturing and retail followed by agriculture and healthcare. This gives the reader a coherent account, and transitions such as “In contrast,” “however,” and “Lastly” help signal comparisons. The organisation is clear, though some linking is mechanical and the sector-by-sector presentation could make comparisons across sectors more explicit. For example, healthcare and retail both reach about 16 million jobs in 2020, a useful shared endpoint that could be linked directly. There is also a repeated “and” in “stability till 2000 and and slight decrease,” which interrupts the flow. More varied, precise referencing and smoother links between related trends would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a line graph, including “increased steadily,” “decreasing constantly,” “slight decrease,” and “increased sharply.” These expressions communicate the broad movements, and sector names and units are handled clearly. Some choices are less natural or precise: “job providing sector” is awkward, while “highest jobs are provided combined” makes the comparison difficult to follow. “Till” is also less suitable than “by” or “until” in this formal report, and “displays stability” could be expressed more naturally as “remained stable.” Aim for concise, conventional chart language and avoid repeating “sector” or “increased” where a more exact verb can clarify the trend.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including relative clauses (“which increased steadily”) and contrast clauses (“In contrast…”). Meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors remain. The opening should be “The line graph illustrates,” with subject–verb agreement; “The manufacturing and agriculture has decreased” also needs plural agreement and a more accurate tense construction. In “agriculture sector … have seen,” the singular subject requires “has seen.” The phrase “from around 3 million in 1960, to 5 million” has an unnecessary comma, and the final sentence’s list is not clearly punctuated. Review agreement, articles, and punctuation, while retaining the varied sentence structures you already attempt.

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