Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19

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 given line graph illustrates the information about the number of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the United kingdom from 1960 to 2020. Units are articulated in millions.

Overall,the figure experienced fluctuations throughout the period. However the highest number of job was recorded in retail, the lowest figure was accounted in healthcare .

As the graph shows,the figure for manufacturing stood at 15 millions in 1960,followed by a small increase to around 20 millions in 1980. Approximately 14 millions jobs was recorded in 2020.

Retail jobs was the highest figure at 6 millions in 1960.Afterthat, it rose significantly at 16 millions.

Moving to the rest of illustration, in 1960 ,the figure of agriculture jobs observed at 5 millions, but it slightly decrease at 4millions in

1980. In 2020 , it decrease at 2 millions. The healthcare jobs was the lowest figure at 4 millions in 1960, followed by a large increase to around 15 millions in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the graph and provided a clear overview. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. You stated the UK instead of the US, and your interpretation of the figures is inconsistent with the provided graph (e.g., stating retail was 6 million in 1960 when the graph shows a different starting point). To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference your summary with the visual data provided. While you covered all four sectors, the lack of accuracy in reporting the data points limits the effectiveness of your response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the transition 'Afterthat' is non-standard, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. While there is a logical progression from one sector to the next, the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the flow feel a bit disjointed. Improving the variety of your transition signals will help create a more cohesive and professional-sounding report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'recorded', 'observed', and 'decrease' repeatedly. There are also some minor errors in word formation, such as '15 millions' (should be '15 million'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs and precise collocations related to trends, such as 'witnessed a steady climb' or 'experienced a sharp decline'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs would also enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and pluralisation, such as 'the highest number of job was' and '14 millions jobs was recorded'. Additionally, there are issues with punctuation, specifically missing spaces after commas and periods. While you attempt to use a mix of simple and complex structures, the errors are frequent enough to occasionally distract the reader. Focusing on basic grammatical accuracy, such as ensuring nouns agree with their verbs and using correct plural forms, will significantly improve your score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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