Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 graph depicts data about the economy of several job sectors, as mentioned across the US over a 2-decade timeline from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, we can see a decline in manufacturing jobs after a rise at the initial stage, with the same negative result in agriculture jobs as well. However, there is a consistent rise in retail and healthcare, and they stood at equal numbers by the end.

In general, manufacturing jobs started with 15 million and had 5 million more within 2 decades, followed by a sudden decline of 3 million every 2 decades and by 2020 stood at 13 million. Agriculture started with 5 million and declined to 3 million as a constant result for the next 2 decades and further declined to 2 million in 2020.

On the other hand, retail and healthcare showed up with positive impact of growth. Retail jobs began with 5 million and recorded a rise of 5 million every 2 decades until 2020. Healthcare followed a similar trend. Initially, it was 2 million, and by 2020 it stood at the same level as retail around 16 million.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all four sectors and identifies key trends. However, the analysis of the data is somewhat inaccurate. For instance, you state manufacturing rose to 20 million (15+5) and then declined by 3 million every two decades, which does not align with the visual data provided. Additionally, the timeline is described as a '2-decade timeline' when the graph spans 60 years (1960–2020). While the main features are highlighted, the lack of precision in reporting the figures and the misinterpretation of the time scale limit the effectiveness of the summary. To improve, ensure you carefully verify the data points against the axes before writing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the declining sectors to the growing ones. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall,' 'In general,' and 'On the other hand' are used to signal shifts in the narrative. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the data points and the descriptive text could be smoother to improve the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'depicts,' 'consistent rise,' and 'recorded a rise.' However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'showed up with positive impact of growth' and 'as a constant result.' These phrases are slightly unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated,' 'peaked,' or 'remained stagnant,' rather than relying on general descriptive phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'data about the economy of several job sectors, as mentioned across the US' and 'stood at the same level as retail around 16 million.' These errors do not impede communication, but they do indicate a lack of control over more complex grammatical structures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions when describing numerical data.

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

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