Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-07

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 shows the data for the quantity of jobs provided in four sectors of the economy

from 1960 to 2020 on the US.

overall, the data shows the fluctuation of job market: manufacturing , retail, agriculture and healthcare.if analyse the graph, we can clearly see from the data given that in some sectors there is rise of jobs in comparison to other sector, who are in a steady downward trail.

The number of jobs in retail sector has increased from 5 million to 15 million, between 1960 and 2000. After that its stuck in somewhat plato to 2020. similarly, the healthcare sector also shows steady increase in number of jobs, from 2.5 millions in 1960 to 15 million in 2020. but the healthcare sector did not get stuck in plato and shows overall rise.

In comparison, the agriculture sector shows decline in number of jobs to 5 millions in 1960 to around 2.5 millions in 1980. And after 1980 number of jobs are in plato to 2020.In comparison, the manufacturing sector shows steady rise in number of jobs, from 15 millions in 1960 to 20 millions in 1980.but after 1980 it shows steady decline in number of jobs from 20 millions to around 13 millions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the four sectors and describe their main directions, including manufacturing’s rise to 1980 followed by decline and the long-term growth in healthcare and retail. However, some figures and comparisons are inaccurate: retail reaches about 16 million in 2020, rather than plateauing at 15 million, and agriculture falls from about 6 million in 1960 to 3 million in 1980, not 5 million. It then remains near 3 million until 2000 before falling to about 2 million, so describing it as flat through 2020 misses the final decline. The overview is also broad and does not highlight that retail and healthcare finish as the largest sectors. More precise reporting of these key features would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs comparing the rising sectors with the declining ones. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking phrases are repetitive or awkward. For example, “In comparison” is used to introduce both agriculture and manufacturing, although these trends are not directly contrasted in the same way. The overview also repeats the idea of rises and declines without clearly previewing the main comparisons. Improve cohesion by grouping related trends, using time markers consistently, and making each paragraph’s focus explicit. Check punctuation around transitions so that sentences do not run together.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary such as “increased,” “decline,” “steady rise,” and “sector,” so the main trends are generally understandable. There are also attempts at less common expressions, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “stuck in somewhat plato” and “in plato” appear to mean “levelled off,” while “downward trail” is not a natural description of a trend. “Quantity of jobs provided” is also less precise than “number of jobs.” Spelling and word-form errors, including “plato” for “plateau,” reduce accuracy. Build a more reliable set of trend expressions and use them consistently; this will make the account clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons and time clauses, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors in sentence formation, agreement, articles, plurals, and punctuation occur across the response. Examples include “from 1960 to 2020 on the US,” “if analyse the graph,” and “the agriculture sector shows decline in number of jobs to 5 millions.” Several sentences also begin with lowercase words after full stops, and missing spaces after punctuation make boundaries harder to follow. Practise accurate sentence patterns such as “jobs increased from X to Y” and “the number of jobs fell,” while checking articles, plural forms, and sentence endings. Greater control of these basics would support your attempts at complex structures.

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