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 supplied line graph enumeratees the Information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US, varying from the year 1960 to 2020. The data is measured in the millions.

Overall, it is quite evident that the retail and the healthcare both were calculated for the highest proportion, while the agriculture field was represented for the lowest one. Furthermore, a significant downturn in the proportion of manufacturing was observed over the given period.

It is conspicuous that the manufacturing field was stood at the highest in the initial year, with 15 millions. However, it was elevated from 15 to 20 millions in 1980. But it was slipped from the peak position to second last position in the final year, with 12 millions. It can be seen that the retail and the agriculture both were started from the same quantity, with 6 millions, in 1960. After that year, both take different path where the retail rocketed to 16 millions in the final year, meanwhile the agriculture field took down fall from 6 to 2 millions in the final year, 2020. It took the lowest position in the list of jobs in four sectors. The agriculture gradually decreased their economy before reach at 2 millions. It maintained its economy level in the time period of 1980 to 2000. Whereas the retail rapidly improved its economy level. It can be observed that the healthcare was stood at the lower position in 1960, with 3 millions. Moreover, a significant upturn was observed in the healthcare field. In the final year, it was stood at the highest position, with 16 millions. The healthcare and the retail both followed the same pattern in the list of different jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all four sectors and identifies the main trends, such as the decline in manufacturing and agriculture alongside the growth in retail and healthcare. However, the report suffers from inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, stating that manufacturing stood at 15 million in 1960 and rose to 20 million in 1980 is not supported by the typical visual data for this task, and the claim that retail and healthcare followed the same pattern is an over-generalisation. While the overview is present, the lack of precision in reporting the figures and the inclusion of some inaccurate data points prevent this from reaching a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'Meanwhile', though some are used mechanically or incorrectly (e.g., 'After that year, both take different path'). The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the referencing is occasionally confusing, particularly when discussing the sectors. The paragraphing is sufficient, but the flow between sentences could be improved to make the comparisons more natural and less repetitive.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, with attempts to use descriptive verbs like 'rocketed', 'slipped', and 'elevated'. However, there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'enumeratees' (a misspelling of enumerates), 'took down fall', and 'stood at the lower position'. The student also uses 'economy' incorrectly when referring to the number of jobs. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of precision and the repetitive nature of the phrasing limit the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Common issues include incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'was stood at', 'were started from'), missing articles, and subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'the retail and the healthcare both were calculated'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent and occur in almost every sentence, which prevents the writing from demonstrating the control required for a higher band.

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

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