Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020. Overall, manufacturing remains the most popular choice after that hit a peak and then top out.In contrast agriculture declined steadily and became less common. By comparisons healthcare experinced a slight increase while retail gradually increased and then meet at a same point.

In 1960, manufacturing sector hit a peak from 20 millions and then fell from 13 milllions in 2020 making it dominant mode. Meanwhile agriculture had increased from 6 millions and after that downward trend from 3 millions at 2020. Healthcare accounted for 3 millions in 1960 and then it gradually increased to a peak at 16 millions in 2020. Retail sector on the other hand it also started from 6 millions and then it climb gradually and meet at a same point at 16 millions at 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main features of the prompt by describing the trends for the four sectors between 1960 and 2020. However, the overview lacks clarity and some of the data points reported contain inaccuracies when compared against the visual data, such as claiming manufacturing hit a peak of 20 millions in 1960 when the graph shows it rose to that level in 1980. The selection of data is evident, but certain comparisons and trends, such as the statement regarding retail and healthcare meeting at the same point, are underdeveloped or inaccurately detailed, placing this criterion at the targeted level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response presents an overall progression and is divided into paragraphs separating the general overview from the body details. Cohesive devices are attempted, such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', and 'Meanwhile', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or imprecise, such as 'after that hit a peak and then top out' and 'By comparisons'. Referencing between sentences is sometimes unclear, which impacts the overall flow. Paragraphing is present and helps structure the response, fulfilling the requirements for this level.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate to communicate the basic trends, featuring sector-specific terms like 'manufacturing', 'agriculture', 'healthcare', and 'retail'. However, there are noticeable word choice, word form, and collocation errors that restrict the range, such as 'most popular choice', 'top out', 'experinced', 'dominant mode', and 'downward trend'. Spelling and morphological slips, like 'milllions', also occur. These limitations mean the vocabulary remains restricted and causes some minor difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is a limited range of sentence structures attempted, with mixed success in forming complex sentences. Frequent errors in grammar and punctuation appear throughout the text, including tense inconsistencies, missing or incorrect prepositions, and article errors, such as 'after that hit a peak', 'agriculture had increased', 'from 13 milllions', and 'it also started from 6 millions and then it climb gradually and meet at a same point'. These errors frequently cause strain or confusion for the reader in interpreting the exact timeframes and values.

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.