Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-03

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 compares the number of jobs in four sectors namely- Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, and Healthcare of the economy in the US over a 60-year period.

Oveall, it is clear that manufacturing jobs experienced an upwaed trend in initial years after decreased significantly throughtout the period. while Retail and Healthcare jobs were statred at a lower point, showed an upward trend throughtout the time frame. whereas, Agricultural jobs mirrored a continuous downward pattern.

Looling at the details, Manufacturing jobs experienced an an upward trend, whivh stood at 15 million, which was higher than that of Retail jobs. Over the subsequently years, Retails, started nearly 7 millions and increased dramatically, to a peack of 15 millions before grew steadily to finish at 16 millions.

Turning to the remainig categorry, the figure for Heathcare jobs stood approximately 3 millions before climbed significantly, reaching a high of at the same level as Retail. Meanwhile, Agriculture, experienced 7 millions and decreased steadily to a low of almost 3 millions, which was the lowest sector among all jobs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to cover all four sectors across the sixty-year period, but the selection and reporting of data are partially flawed. While an overview is attempted, it contains confusing phrasing and contradictory details regarding trends. Furthermore, some specific data points are inaccurately reported; for instance, the starting figure for Agriculture is misstated as 7 million instead of approximately 6 million, and the text contains generalisations that lack complete clarity. To reach a higher level, the response needs to present a clearer, more accurate overview of the main trends without data inaccuracies, and ensure all key features, such as the peak and final figures for manufacturing and healthcare, are fully and correctly highlighted.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement and attempts to group information logically into paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the categories. However, the progression is occasionally disrupted by mechanical or faulty referencing and awkward transitions, such as 'Turning to the remainig categorry, the figure for Heathcare jobs stood approximately 3 millions before climbed significantly'. Cohesive devices are used, but referencing is not always clear, and the paragraphing, while present, suffers from internal structural issues that hinder a completely smooth flow of information. Enhancing the logical progression and ensuring precise cohesive links would elevate this criterion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully attempting less common items related to data trends such as 'upward trend', 'dramatically', and 'steadily'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies in word choice, form, and spelling, including typos and erroneous phrases like 'upwaed', 'throughtout', 'statred', and 'remainig categorry'. Collocation and word forms also slip at times, such as 'grew steadily to finish at' or incorrect prepositions within descriptive phrases. These errors do not completely impede communication, but they restrict the range and precision of the response, keeping the lexical score at this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors involving verb forms, tense usage, and missing prepositions or auxiliary verbs, such as 'which was higher than that of Retail jobs. Over the subsequently years, Retails, started nearly 7 millions and increased dramatically...' and 'stood approximately 3 millions before climbed significantly'. Punctuation and article usage also show recurrent inaccuracies. While these errors rarely completely obscure the meaning, their frequency across complex structures prevents the response from achieving a higher band.

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