Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24

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 graph presents the data on the division of jobs in comparision of the years, different jobs sectors includes manufacturing, agriculture, retail, healthcare.

1. There has been a significant increase in healthcare, at first, from 1960 to 1980 the increase in heathcare sector has been gradual from 2 million jobs to 5 million jobs, then a rapid increase is being observed from 5 millions in 16 million during 1980 ro 2020. The most sharp increase was during the period of 1980 to 2000 an increase of 7 million jobs.

2. Manufacturing sector is showinig a varing trend, from 1960 to 1980 there has been a sharp gradual increase from of 5 million jobs, then there is a gradual continuous decline till 2020, during the period of 1980 to 2020 there has been a decrease of 7 million jobs.

3.Retail sector represents a gradually bourgeoning trend from 1960 to 2000, then the increase rate has been relatively slow, for instance, the increase during the first 4 decades starting from 1960 was of 14 million jobs, during the next two decades the increase was merely of 1 million jobs.

4.Only the healthsector is reflectinig a decreasing trend in a steady manner, from 1960 to 1980 this sector lost 3 million jobs, then it remained steady during 1980 to 2000, and during the 2 decades between 2000 to 2020 healthsector again lost a million jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the graph, outlining trends for healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in data reporting and sector identification. For instance, the student states in paragraph 4 that 'Only the healthsector is reflectinig a decreasing trend in a steady manner', which contradicts the previous paragraph and the data showing that agriculture is the sector with a consistent downward trend (from 6 million in 1960 to 2

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is organized into numbered points rather than standard paragraphs, which detracts from the formal structure expected in an academic task. While logical connectors and time markers are used (e.g., 'at first', 'then', 'during the period of'), referencing is occasionally confusing, such as the mixed-up sector references in paragraph 4. Paragraphing is not used effectively, as the response relies on a list format instead of cohesive textual blocks.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student attempts to use some less common vocabulary such as 'gradually bourgeoning' and 'significant increase', demonstrating an adequate range for the task. However, there are frequent word-choice and spelling errors (e.g., 'comparision', 'heathcare', 'showinig', 'varing', 'reflectinig'). Furthermore, misuse of terminology, such as calling agriculture 'the healthsector' in paragraph 4, limits precision and affects the overall lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is inconsistent. There are several run-on sentences and punctuation errors, such as comma splices ('...increase of 7 million jobs, then a rapid increase is being observed...'). Verb tense and agreement issues are also present, such as 'Manufacturing sector is showinig' and 'the increase rate has been'. While meaning is generally retrievable, errors are frequent enough to constrain the band score.

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