Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the most striking feature is that jobs in retail and healthcare departments increased over the period, while manufacturing reached at peak and then dramatically decreased after two decades.

It is clear that jobs in retail accounted for above 5 in 1960 and surged at 15 in 2000. However, the figure was reccorded at slightly inclined in 2020. Similarly, jobs in health sectors showed below 5 in 1960 but surged dramatically at 15 during the period.

It is evident that jobs in manufacturing accounted for 15 in 1960 and surged at 20 in 1080, but significantly decreased in four decades. Furthermore, agriculture supported the lowest propotion above 5 in 1960 and declined significantly in 1980. The figure was recorded remain constant from 1980 to 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the four sectors and give a relevant overview: retail and healthcare rise, while manufacturing peaks and then falls. Several key comparisons are also included, such as manufacturing reaching 20 in 1980 and agriculture declining from its initial level. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear. Retail rises to about 16 in 2020, rather than merely being “slightly inclined,” and healthcare reaches about 16, not 15. Agriculture falls to around 2 by 2020, so it does not remain constant throughout 1980–2020. The overview also misses the important endpoint comparison: retail and healthcare are joint-highest in 2020. More precise reporting of the later figures and clearer coverage of the main trends would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs describing the rising sectors and the declining sectors. This makes the main information reasonably easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Similarly,” and “Furthermore” help signal relationships between points. However, some connections are mechanical or do not accurately express the data, particularly “However” before the retail figure for 2020, which continues the upward trend rather than contrasting with it. The final paragraph also moves from manufacturing to agriculture without clearly distinguishing their different patterns. Use more precise transitions and organise comparisons around shared trends or endpoints to make progression clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of trend vocabulary, including “surged,” “declined,” “significantly,” and “accounted for,” and the reader can generally understand the intended comparisons. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “surged at 15,” “slightly inclined,” and “supported the lowest proportion” do not describe the graph naturally. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “reccorded,” “propotion,” and “1080,” which distract from the report. Choose standard chart language such as “rose to,” “stood at,” and “had the fewest jobs,” and check spelling carefully. This would make your vocabulary more precise while retaining the useful range you already attempt.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple statements and some more complex forms, including clauses joined with “while” and “but,” and most of the intended meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical patterns are not controlled, however. For example, “manufacturing reached at peak” needs a different construction, such as “manufacturing reached a peak,” while “the figure was recorded remain constant” needs a finite verb form, such as “the figure remained constant.” In “jobs in health sectors showed below 5,” the sentence lacks a suitable verb pattern. Review articles, verb forms, and sentence construction, especially when describing values and changes. More consistently accurate clauses would make the report clearer and more fluent.

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.