Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16
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)
This graph illustrates number of jobs in four sectors of the US economy in between 1960 and 2020. Overall, retail and healthcare jobs increased tremendeously, while agriculture industry displayed gradual decline over time.Manufacturing sector increased number of jobs initially for first two decades followed by a major recessaion in their numbers.
In 1960 Manufacturing alone generated 15 million jobs which rose to their highest 20 million in 1980, but after thata this suffered the most.
Retail sector continues its upward trend throughout this tenure,now contributing at more than 15 million jobs almost double than 1960.
Same case with healthcare sector where in 1960 there used to 2 million jobs now it is at its record highest with more than 15 million jobs.
Agriculture sector reduced its job gradually, where at one point its used to contribute more than 5 million jobs in 1960, now stands at 2.5 million jobs cutting half number of jobs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student has successfully addressed the main features of the graph, presenting a clear overview of the trends across the four economic sectors. The key data points are accurately reported, such as manufacturing peaking at 20 million in 1980 before declining, and the substantial growth in the retail and healthcare sectors. However, there are some minor inaccuracies or omissions in data specifics, such as describing agriculture as cutting its number of jobs in half from 5 million in 1960 to 2.5 million, whereas the graph indicates a drop from approximately 6 million to 2 million. Additionally, the overview could be slightly more fully developed to meet higher band requirements, but overall, the task is adequately fulfilled.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division between an introductory paragraph containing the overview, body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors, and logical sequencing of information. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'Overall,' 'In 1960,' and 'Same case with.' However, paragraphing is somewhat fragmented, with single-sentence paragraphs used for individual sectors rather than grouping related ideas together. Furthermore, referencing and transitional links between sentences occasionally feel slightly mechanical or abrupt, preventing the response from reaching a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to trends and data, such as 'gradual decline,' 'upward trend,' and 'record highest.' There are, however, noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, including 'tremendeously' instead of tremendously, 'reccaion' (recession), and awkward phrasing like 'this tenure' and 'cutting half number of jobs.' While these lexical errors do not impede overall communication, they restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising structures such as 'while agriculture industry displayed gradual decline over time' and clauses introduced by 'where' and 'after that.' Grammatical control is mixed; there are several missing articles and prepositions (e.g., 'illustrates number of jobs' instead of 'illustrates the number of jobs', 'where in 1960 there used to 2 million jobs') and punctuation issues. Nevertheless, many sentences are clear and understandable, and the errors rarely impede communication, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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