Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 represents number of occupation in four fields of Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, and Healthcare it shows the income in the US between 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the highest jobs is in Manufacturing sector in 1980 whereas, the least economy sector is in Agriculture field among all sectors. While, in 2020, Healthcare and Retail sector is on similar level.

In detaile, Manufacturing and Agriculture sector showed downward trend. In addition, in 1960 Manufacturing field had 15 million jobs and later it increased in 1980 to 20 millions. However, after 1980, it gradually declined. Whereas, in 1960, Agriculture and Retail sector was on same level after that Agriculture sector reduced the number of jobs.

On the other hand, Healthcare and Retail sector showed upward changes. In 1960, Retail and Agriculture sector was on same ground however, Retail setor increased gradually and reached around 16 million in 2020 in number of jobs. Moreover, Healthcare field increased slowly and reached on same level in 2020, around 16 millions jobs as similar to Retail sector.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a summary of the main features, but there are significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, you state that the Manufacturing sector had 15 million jobs in 1960 and increased to 20 million in 1980; however, the graph shows it starting at approximately 17 million and peaking closer to 20 million. Furthermore, you incorrectly claim that the Retail and Agriculture sectors were at the same level in 1960, whereas the graph indicates a clear gap. While you identify the main trends, the lack of precision in reporting figures and the misinterpretation of the starting points limit the effectiveness of the response. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference the data points with the axes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In addition', and 'On the other hand' to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. For example, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is a bit abrupt. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when referring to 'same level' without specifying which data points are being compared. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear logical flow between sentences would enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'increased', 'reduced', and 'showed upward changes' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'least economy sector' and 'on same ground', which sound unnatural. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more varied and precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a sharp decline'. Additionally, ensure you use the correct terminology for economic sectors and data representation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the highest jobs is', 'Retail and Agriculture sector was') and article usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing commas after introductory phrases. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall flow. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent use of plural forms when discussing multiple sectors or years.

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