Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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 line chart illustrates changes in the number of jobs in the given four fields of the economy in the U.S. from 1960 to 2020.

In retail and healthcare sector, the number of jobs in the U.S. is followed upward trend. Significantly, healthcare sector rose steeply throughout the period. At the beginning of the year, there was around 25 jobs, while in the final year it reached more than 50. In the retail field, between 1962 and 2000, there was a noticeable growth, but after 20 years, it grown to a small extent, and both sectors were at the same position.

It is shown totally opposite in other two sectors. Manufacturing and agriculture sector follows the downward trend. In the starting years, manufacturing field was suddenly jumped in the number of jobs, which is around 15 to 20. Although after that it went down noticeably and reached less than 15. Meanwhile, agriculture field gradually decreased in the starting years. Alongside, between 1980 to 2000, it stayed constant.

Overall, the number of jobs increased in retail and healthcare sector, while it decreased in the manufacturing and agriculture sector.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all four sectors and identifies the main trends. However, the data reporting is imprecise. For example, stating 'there was around 25 jobs' is vague and lacks units (e.g., millions). The description of the manufacturing sector as having 'suddenly jumped' is inaccurate as the graph shows a decline from the start. The comparison between sectors is present but could be more analytical. To improve, ensure that data points are clearly referenced with appropriate units and that the description of trends matches the visual evidence more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs for the two groups of sectors, and a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'In the retail field', 'Meanwhile', and 'Overall' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions are mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'It is shown totally opposite in other two sectors'. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more natural progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. Phrases like 'followed upward trend' and 'grown to a small extent' are functional but basic. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'at the beginning of the year' (when referring to a time period on a graph) and 'at the same position'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'plateaued', or 'marginal increase'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'In retail and healthcare sector' (missing articles), 'it grown to a small extent' (incorrect verb form), and 'manufacturing field was suddenly jumped' (incorrect passive voice usage). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors in tense and article usage prevent the writing from reaching a higher band.

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

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