Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-29

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 illustrates information about the number of jobs in economic sectors like manufecturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare over the period between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, jobs in retail and healthcare rose significantly as they became almost at equal number in 2020. Manufacturing jobs went up from 1960 to 1980 but after that it showed a down trend. Agriculture is the sector where jobs decreased but considerably at low pace.

The manufacturing sector jobs rose from 15 to 20 millions from 1960 to 1980 but after that droped to just bellow to 15 million mark in 2020. Retail and agriculture sector had same just over 5 million of jobs in the 1960 but over the years they showed considerably different trend as the retail sector

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the graph, the description is incomplete. The final paragraph is cut off mid-sentence, meaning you have not fully reported on the data for all sectors or provided a complete summary. To improve, ensure you cover all categories provided in the graph and complete your analysis. You must also ensure that your overview clearly highlights the most significant trends across the entire period, rather than just focusing on specific segments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into an introduction and two body paragraphs, which is a logical structure. However, the abrupt ending of the final paragraph disrupts the flow and coherence of the response. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall' and 'but after that', but the range is limited. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly. Additionally, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed before moving on to the next, as the current structure feels incomplete and disjointed due to the unfinished final sentence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used some relevant vocabulary related to trends, such as 'rose significantly', 'down trend', and 'decreased'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'manufecturing', 'droped', and 'bellow', which detract from the quality of the writing. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure that your spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'they became almost at equal number' (should be 'reached almost equal numbers') and 'agriculture sector had same just over 5 million of jobs' (missing articles and awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete sentence at the end is a major issue. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Proofreading your work for basic grammatical slips will help you achieve a higher score.

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

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