Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 given line chart illustrates the data about jobs in different sectors of the US economy with in he period of 1960 to 2020.All the data measured in millions.
Overall, manufacturing and agriculture decreased significantly durinh the period. In contrast, retail and healthcare increased considerably.
To begin from 1960, Manufacturing had the largest jobs which commence from 15 millions and rose at 20 millions after increasing it followed declined trend 17 millions in 2000 and 13 millions in 2020. This trend closly followed by agriculture started form 60 millions and followed faling trend 4 millions in 1980after declined remain stable untiil 2000 and dropped 2 millions end of the period.
Although, retail started from 6 millions grew sharply at 10 millions jobs in 1980 and 15 millions in 2000 and overteak the manufacturing figure with 16 millions jobs in end of the period. Healthcare had 3 millions jobs in 1960 and increased rapidly 5 million jobs in 1980 it increased considerably with 12 millions jobs in 2000 and maintain position equaly with retail at 16 millions jobs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| 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 between 1960 and 2020. A clear overview is provided, noting that manufacturing and agriculture decreased while retail and healthcare increased. However, there are some data inaccuracies and misreadings in the body paragraphs; for instance, stating that agriculture started from "60 millions" and that healthcare started at "3 millions" rather than 2 millions. Despite these minor data slips, the key overall trends are successfully communicated, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the declining and rising sectors. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as "Overall," "In contrast," and "Although." However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical, as seen in awkward transitions like "To begin from 1960" and run-on phrasing without proper punctuation in the third paragraph. Paragraphing is present and appropriate, but the internal logical progression within paragraphs is occasionally disrupted by awkward phrasing, placing this firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as "significantly," "considerably," and "gradual" (though misapplied at times). There are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including "durinh," "closly," "faling," "untiil," "overteak," and "equaly." Additionally, collocation is sometimes awkward, such as "followed declined trend." These lexical errors and limitations place the response at Band 5.5, as vocabulary is minimally adequate but contains frequent inaccuracies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, missing prepositions, and run-on sentences, such as "after declined remain stable untiil 2000 and dropped 2 millions end of the period" and verbs missing subjects or tense markers ("Manufacturing had the largest jobs which commence from 15 millions and rose at 20 millions after increasing it followed declined trend"). These errors frequently cause difficulty for the reader and prevent the response from achieving a higher band, corresponding to a Band 5.0.
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