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 graph provides information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

The graph shows the number of jobs in manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare.

It shows that in 1960, the number of jobs in manufacturing was 15, which increased to 20 in 1980, but in 2000 the number of jobs decreased to 17, and in 2020 it further decreased to 13.

In 1960, the number of jobs in retail was 5, and it continuously increased. In 1980, it increased to 10, and in 2000, it increased to 15; in 2020, it became 16.

Also, in 1960, the number of jobs in health care was nearly 0; it was only 2. But it continuously increased for decades. It increased by five every 20 years from 1950 to 2020.

The graph also shows the number of jobs in agriculture. It shows that in 1960 it was 6, but it decreased in the 1980s to 4 and remained the same in the 2000s, but in the 2020s it again decreased to 3.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all four sectors and identifies the main trends. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant features, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The report is largely a list of data points rather than a synthesis of information. For example, stating 'it increased by five every 20 years' is a good attempt at identifying a trend, but the overall structure is too mechanical. To improve, you should group the data by trends (e.g., sectors that grew versus those that declined) rather than describing each sector in a separate paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps readability. However, the progression of ideas is quite repetitive, with almost every sentence starting with 'It shows that' or 'In [year]'. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly. While the paragraphing is logical, the internal cohesion is mechanical and relies on simple, repetitive structures. To improve, use a wider range of linking words such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', or 'Meanwhile' to show the relationship between the different economic sectors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is functional but very limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'increased' and 'decreased'. There is no attempt to use more sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a downward trend'. While the language is accurate enough to convey the data, it does not demonstrate the range required for a higher band score. Incorporating more precise terminology for describing graphs would significantly improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and the meaning is clear throughout. However, the sentence structures are very simple, consisting mostly of subject-verb-object patterns. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or subordinate clauses, which are necessary for higher bands. For example, instead of writing 'In 1960, the number of jobs in retail was 5, and it continuously increased', you could use a complex structure like 'Starting at 5 million in 1960, the number of retail jobs experienced a continuous increase'.

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

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