Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-06

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

Number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US, 1960-2020

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the given information about the number of diiferent jobs in four sectoor of the economy of in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, Manufacturing sector have around 20millions that was highest compare to other sectors and healthcare sector at starting year 1960 it has lowest job but by passing time its get at peak point 2020 at the same position of retail 2020.

According to trends show in the graph, Manufaction sector is one of the higest ranking giving job in 1980 aroundgive 20million and significanlty drop and fluctuate the crossing lower of the healthcare sector but this sector which have increase from lower to reach to create 16million job in 2020 and other two department retai and retail start at the same positon in 1960 have 6million jobs but retail increase as passing the year and reach to 16million jobb in 2020 comparetive agriculture drop one time then its get constant last three year.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the four sectors and include a general overview, noting manufacturing’s high point and healthcare’s rise to match retail by 2020. These are relevant features, but the overview is not fully accurate: manufacturing peaks at 20 million in 1980, not throughout the period, and it is not the highest sector in 2020, when retail and healthcare are both about 16 million. The account also misstates agriculture as remaining constant for the “last three year”; it falls from about 6 million to 3 million by 1980, stays level to 2000, then declines to 2 million. To make the report more complete, describe the main changes clearly and compare the sectors at key dates using accurate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and a final paragraph describing trends. You also use some linking expressions, such as “Overall,” “According to,” and “but.” However, the progression within the final paragraph is difficult to follow because several trends are crowded into one long sentence, and the reference to “other two department retai and retail” is unclear. Some connections are also inaccurate or awkward, so the reader has to work out which sector is being discussed. Organise the details into shorter sentences, grouping manufacturing and healthcare separately from retail and agriculture, and use clear references such as “this sector” only when the sector is unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “line graph,” “sector,” “increase,” “drop,” and “reach,” so the main subject is generally recognisable. However, the range and control are limited, with repeated basic wording and several inaccurate or misspelled forms, such as “higest,” “Manufaction,” “retai,” and “fluctuate the crossing.” Phrases such as “at the same position” and “get at peak point” do not express the intended comparisons naturally. Choose precise trend language and check spelling: for example, say that manufacturing “peaked at 20 million” and then “declined,” while healthcare “rose steadily.” This would make the report clearer and more appropriate to an academic description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “but” and a time clause beginning “by passing time.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors frequently make relationships between ideas difficult to understand. Examples include “Manufacturing sector have,” “healthcare sector at starting year 1960 it has lowest job,” and the extended final sentence, where clauses are joined without clear grammatical control. Articles, agreement, tense, and sentence boundaries also need attention. Practise writing one clear sentence for each trend, using forms such as “Manufacturing had 15 million jobs in 1960” and “Healthcare rose to 16 million by 2020.” Accurate simple sentences should come before adding longer structures.

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.