Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08

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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the number of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the US across years starting from 1960 to 2020.

The x axis shows the years and y axis shows job in millions. Starting in 1960 retail and agricultural sector were at the same value with is almost 6 million jobs, however throughout the years retail jobs increased rapidly and got stable from the 2000 to 2020.

The agricultural job sector remained in the same stable value fro 1980 to 202 and in comparison to retail jobs it decreased with time.

The healthcare sector shows a gradual rise starting from 3 million jobs in 1960 to 5 million in 1980. It increased to 15 million in the year 2020.

The manufacturing jobs decreased over the time we're at the peak throughout 1960 to 2020. And it was the highest in 1980. The graph depicts ifferent jobs at different years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main trends for the four sectors, but the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear overview of the overall patterns. While you mention the starting values and some changes, the description of the manufacturing sector is confusing and inaccurate, stating it was at its peak throughout 1960 to 2020, which contradicts the visual data. Additionally, the comparison between sectors is limited. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary statement that highlights the most significant trends (e.g., the dominance of the retail sector vs. the decline of manufacturing) rather than just listing data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is hindered by disjointed sentences and a lack of cohesive devices. For example, the transition between the retail and agricultural sectors is abrupt. The use of referencing is also weak; phrases like 'the same stable value' lack clarity regarding which period is being referenced. To improve, use linking words such as 'in contrast,' 'subsequently,' or 'meanwhile' to connect your ideas more fluidly and guide the reader through the data comparisons.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally functional but limited, relying on basic descriptors like 'increased' and 'decreased.' There are some errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'ifferent' instead of 'different' and 'fro' instead of 'from.' The range of vocabulary is not sufficient to demonstrate a higher level of precision. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for change, such as 'fluctuated,' 'remained stagnant,' or 'experienced a sharp decline,' and ensure you proofread for basic spelling errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('the x axis,' 'the agricultural sector'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward phrasing such as 'we're at the peak.' Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Practising the construction of complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions will also help improve your grammatical range.

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