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, the number of jobs in retail and healthcare sectors increased considerably in all years. While, manufacturing increased a bit and then decreased in last years. Moreover, jobs in agriculture are decreasing considerably.
Manufacturing jobs are increased by 5 million in first 20 years by starting at 15 million but in 1980 it was 20 million. In 1980 to 2000, manufacturing jobs decreased by 3 million around at 17 million. In last year 2020, manufacturing jobs are approximately 13 million. Retail jobs increased rapidly. Starting with 6 million in 1960 all the way to 15 million in 2000 and in next 20 years it increased a little bit by 1.5 million at approximately 16.5 million.
Agriculture jobs were 6 million in 1960 and then it decreased in next 20 years around 2.5 million at around 3.5 million in 1980. In the last year agriculture jobs are roughly 2.5 million. Healthcare jobs increased rapidly in all years. In 1960, it was about 2.5 million jobs that rose up to 16 million at the end of 2020.
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 response successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting on all four sectors across the given time period (1960 to 2020). An overall trend is provided in the second paragraph, and key features such as the substantial rise in healthcare and retail, the fluctuation in manufacturing, and the decline in agriculture are correctly identified and supported with figures from the chart. While some figures are slightly approximated, they generally align well with the visual data. The progression of ideas is clear, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0, and it is appropriately placed at a solid Band 6.5 due to minor generalisations in the data presentation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The report exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a logical division into paragraphs: an introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs dedicated to specific sectors. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Moreover', and 'Starting with' are employed to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure. Paragraphing is used adequately to group related information, such as grouping manufacturing and retail together, and agriculture and healthcare together, which aids readability. Referencing is generally clear, earning a comfortable Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to economic sectors ('manufacturing', 'retail', 'agriculture', 'healthcare') and trends ('increased considerably', 'decreased', 'rapidly'). However, there are noticeable limitations and occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, such as 'jobs are increased' instead of 'jobs increased', and repetitive phrasing when describing upward and downward movements. While less common vocabulary is attempted, control is somewhat inconsistent, placing this response firmly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinating clauses like 'While, manufacturing increased a bit...' and 'Starting with 6 million...'. However, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including tense confusion ('Manufacturing jobs are increased'), missing prepositions, and minor punctuation issues. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, and the meaning remains clear to the reader. This performance aligns well with the Band 6.0 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.