Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01

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 compares the number of jobs in four sectors manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare of the economy in the United States from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it is clear that manufacturing have highest number of jobs over most of the period until retail and healthcare overtook it. While agriculture remains the stable during the period shown and also the lowest from other three.

Looking at the details, the manufacturing jobs figure rose from 15 million in 1960 to 20 million in 1980, then started to fell and reached its lowest point in 2020. Meanwhile, retail and healthcare started upward trend in 1960 from 5 million and 2.5 million respectively. Afterwards, they both increases gradually and eventually intersects the manufacturing jobs and both reached their peak in 2020 just above 15 million.

In contrast, the agriculture jobs declined from their levels in 1960 just above 5 million. Then the figure of agriculture jobs remains stable and lowest from all other three types of sectors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the chart’s subject and give a relevant overview: manufacturing leads for much of the period, while agriculture remains the smallest sector, and retail and healthcare rise. The main manufacturing figures are accurately reported, and the final values for retail and healthcare are broadly correct. However, some details are unclear or imprecise. Retail and healthcare do not both “eventually intersect” manufacturing: retail reaches 15 million in 2000, below manufacturing at 17 million, and healthcare reaches 11 million then; both are level with or above manufacturing only by 2020. The description of agriculture as stable also misses its decline from about 6 million to 3 million, followed by a further fall to 2 million. More precise comparisons and stages would strengthen an otherwise relevant summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs, and the progression from the general picture to sector-specific information is easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile” and “In contrast” help signal the relationships between trends. This clear structure supports the reader throughout. Some connections are less precise, however: “Afterwards, they both increases gradually” does not clearly distinguish the different trajectories, and the final agriculture paragraph repeats the claim that it is the lowest sector without adding much detail. Use each paragraph to develop a distinct comparison, and make references such as “they” unambiguous. These refinements would make the cohesion more flexible and less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of chart vocabulary, including “rose,” “declined,” “reached its lowest point” and “peak,” and the meaning is generally clear. The response also uses relevant sector names and units. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “manufacturing have highest number,” “remains the stable,” “started upward trend” and “intersects the manufacturing jobs.” “Lowest point” is also not quite right for manufacturing, which ends at 13 million after falling from its 1980 peak. Aim for precise trend language and natural combinations, for example “manufacturing had the highest number of jobs,” “remained stable,” and “both rose.” This would improve accuracy and flexibility without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including a clear overview sentence beginning “While agriculture…” and a contrast introduced by “In contrast.” Most of the intended meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “manufacturing have” needs singular agreement (“manufacturing had”), “started to fell” should be “started to fall,” and “they both increases” should be “they both increased.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention in “started upward trend” and “agriculture remains the stable.” Check subject–verb agreement and maintain consistent past-tense reporting of the chart. More accurate control of these forms, alongside the sentence variety already attempted, would make the description smoother.

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