Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-11

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 graph illustrates the information about the number of employments in four different sectors of the economy in the America over four decade period from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, it can be seen that healthcare and Retail had increased the number of jobs in millions whereas manufacturing got decreased in the rate of employment till 2020.

It can be clearly observed that agriculture and Retail initially started at 5 million in1960 as compared to manufacturing which was started at 15 million and healthcare at 2 million jobs provided to the number of people. In 1980, Agriculture sector shows decrease in number of jobs whereas other sectors had a gradual rise in number of jobs.

Furthermore, healthcare and Retail peaked at the slightly above 15 million in employment rates as compared to manufacturing shows decrease in number of jobs and agriculture was remained stable from [redacted phone].

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad pattern: healthcare and retail rise, while manufacturing declines after its peak. However, the overview is incomplete because it does not mention agriculture’s overall fall or that manufacturing remains the largest sector in 2020, tied with healthcare and retail at about 16 million. Some details are inaccurate: agriculture and retail both begin at about 6 million, not 5 million, and agriculture falls to around 3 million by 1980 before declining further to 2 million, rather than remaining stable through 2020. The account also omits key figures and the 2000 comparison. The response is three words below the required minimum. Include a fuller overview and select accurate figures to support the main trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs, and linking phrases such as “Overall,” “Furthermore” and “In 1980” help signal movement between points. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the final paragraph combines several trends without giving a clear sequence of years or comparisons, and the overview does not prepare the reader for the details that follow. Some references are also difficult to interpret, such as “other sectors” and “peaked at the slightly above 15 million.” Organise the body chronologically or group sectors with similar trends, and use precise links between each figure and its year. This would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “line graph,” “sectors,” “employment” and “million,” so the subject is generally clear. There is some attempt at varied phrasing, but several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “number of employments,” “jobs provided to the number of people” and “peaked at the slightly above 15 million.” “Got decreased in the rate of employment” is also an awkward way to describe a downward trend. These choices sometimes make the intended comparison less clear. Prefer concise, standard chart language such as “the number of jobs,” “stood at,” “rose to” and “fell to.” Check capitalisation of “retail” and use consistent terms for jobs and employment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “whereas,” and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some statements awkward. For example, “manufacturing which was started at 15 million” uses an unsuitable passive construction, while “Agriculture sector shows decrease” has problems with tense and article use. In “agriculture was remained stable,” the verb form is incorrect, and “manufacturing shows decrease” does not match the past-time reporting. Use past simple consistently for the historical data, and build sentences around the sector as the subject: “Manufacturing stood at 15 million.” Proofread articles and verb forms.

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