Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17

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 the data about the number of jobs in four different sectors in the united states between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, number of jobs in retail and healthcare sector are increasing considerably in all years. While, manufacturing increase a bit and then decrease in last years. Moreover, jobs in agriculture are decreasing considerably.

Manufacturing jobs are increased 5 millions in first 20 years by starting at 15 million but in 1980 it was 20 millions. In 1980 to 2000, manufacturing jobs decreases by 3 millions around at 17 millions. In last year 2020, manufacturing jobs are aproximately 13 millions. Retail jobs are increasing rapidly. Starting with 6 millions in 1960 all the way to 15 millions in 2000 and in next 20 years it increase a little bit by 1.5 millions at aproximately 16.5 millions.

Agriculture jobs were 6 millions in 1960 and then it decreases in next 20 years around 2.5 millions at around 3.5 millions in1980. In the last year agriculture jobs are roughly 2.5 millions. Healthcare jobs increases rapidly in all years. In 1960, it was about 2.5 millions jobs that rose up to 16 millions at the end of 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student attempts to address all parts of the task by reporting information on all four sectors across the given time frame. An overview is provided, though it contains some inaccuracies regarding trends, such as stating that retail jobs increased considerably in 'all years' when the graph shows steady growth. Key features are selected, such as starting and ending points, but some data points contain inaccuracies when compared against the visual data, such as reporting agriculture jobs at 3.5 millions in 1980 instead of roughly 3 millions. The overview is somewhat superficial and lacks a fully developed summary of the overarching trends. Overall, the task response meets the basic requirements for covering the main features, but suffers from imprecise reporting of figures and minor generalisation flaws, placing it comfortably in Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors. There is a logical overall arrangement, and the information flows from general trends to specific data. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or overused, such as repetitive use of time markers like 'In 1960', 'In 1980 to 2000', and 'In last year 2020'. Paragraphing is utilized, though the logical progression within paragraphs could be smoother. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of sophisticated transitional phrases keeps cohesion at a competent rather than advanced level. The essay meets the requirements for a Band 6 in coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing sector-specific terms such as 'manufacturing', 'retail', 'agriculture', and 'healthcare'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary and verbs of change, such as 'considerably', 'rapidly', and 'approximately'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'number of jobs in retail and healthcare sector are increasing' (singular/plural agreement and preposition issues) and 'manufacturing jobs are increased'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control is inconsistent, with awkward phrasing like 'in last years' and 'in first 20 years'. This performance aligns well with the Band 5 descriptors, as the vocabulary is adequate but contains noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and articles. Examples include 'number of jobs... are increasing' (should be 'is'), 'manufacturing increase a bit' (tense error), 'manufacturing jobs are increased' (passive voice misuse), and missing articles like 'in united states' and 'in last year 2020'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur with high frequency throughout the text, restricting the grammatical score to Band 5 where frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader.

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