Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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 graph illustrates information about proportion of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the United States over the last six decades.
Overall, the graph shows that the number of jobs for manufacturing were high among the other three followed by a rapid increase in next two decades then falls over the nex four decades. The proportion for retailing and healthcare increased over time. tThe percentage for agriculture fluctuates over the time.
In 1960, the job proportion for manufacturing was 15 million escalate sharply to 20 million in 1980 followed by a regualar decrease to 16 million till 2020. The number of jobs for retail and agriculture were similar in 1960 and then it boost for retailing reaching to 15 million in 2000 followed by a steady increase to 16 million in 2020. In contrast, the jobs number for agriculture fall sharply to 5 million then remain the same till 2000 followed by steady decrease to 4 million in 2020.
For healthcare jobs were lowest in 1960 then rose to 5 million in 1980 followed by rapid increase reaching 16 million in 2020 which is almost the same as retail.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main trends and making appropriate comparisons across the four economic sectors. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, capturing the overall trajectories of manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reported in the body paragraphs; for instance, the student states that manufacturing decreased to 16 million in 2020 (whereas the graph shows approximately 13 million) and misreads agriculture figures in places. Despite these minor data inaccuracies, the main features and general comparisons are adequately communicated, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is structured into four paragraphs, providing a logical framework with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for detailed data. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'In 1960', and 'In contrast', which help guide the reader through the information. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical, as seen with transitional phrases like 'followed by a regualar decrease'. Paragraphing is generally appropriate, but logical progression within paragraphs could be smoother. Overall, the organization is coherent, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'sector', 'fluctuates', and 'steady decrease'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some inaccuracies occur in word choice and collocation, such as confusing 'proportion' and 'number', and typing 'tThe' and 'regualar'. Spelling errors like 'regualar' and minor slip-ups in word forms do not impede overall communication. The lexical range is sufficient for the task, supporting a Band 6.0 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'followed by a rapid increase reaching 16 million'). However, there are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the number of jobs for manufacturing were high') and missing prepositions ('For healthcare jobs were lowest'). While these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede communication, allowing the writer to secure a Band 6.0 for grammatical range and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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