Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

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 graph illustrate the number of jobs in four sectors of economy of US since 1960 to 2020.

From the mentioned graph we can say that the job placements in the healthcare and retail sector has been gradually elevated from the past to the Given current year. On the other hand, other two sector which includes manufacturing and agriculture jobs are resulting in declined to the 2020 year.

As we seen from the graph the healthcare and retail sector jobs are Parallely rising but in 1960, healthcare sector has started from zero to developed and the retail sector was at some good books thats better than nothing.

In 1980, the retail sector was double than compare to healthcare sector. Again in 2000 the retail sector was still at few steps ahead from the healthcare sector. But as seen in the graph at last both sector were at same point.

In conclusion, Healthcare and retail sector jobs are at same level and the agriculture and manufacturing jobs are declined.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad contrast between sectors that grew and those that declined, and you note that healthcare and retail reached the same level by 2020. However, the overview is incomplete and some details are inaccurate: healthcare began at about 2 million jobs, not zero, and manufacturing peaked in 1980 before falling, rather than simply declining throughout. The response also gives little account of the key scale and changes, such as manufacturing remaining the largest sector until 2000 and agriculture falling from about 6 million to 2 million. Phrases such as “some good books” do not communicate a chart feature. To strengthen the report, give a precise overview and support it with selected, accurate figures and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to comparisons and a conclusion. Time markers such as “In 1980” and “In 2000” help the reader follow the sequence. However, progression is limited because the same broad point—that healthcare and retail rose while the other sectors declined—is repeated in the overview and conclusion without adding much. Some links are unclear or mechanical, including “On the other hand” and “Again,” and the reference in “both sector” is not fully precise. Organise the body around the main trends, grouping the two rising sectors and then the declining sectors, and use linking phrases only where they clarify a comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “sector,” “gradually elevated,” “declined,” and “same level,” so the general topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are unnatural or unclear, which sometimes makes the intended meaning difficult to understand. For example, “job placements” is not the same as the number of jobs, “at some good books” does not express a meaningful comparison, and “at few steps ahead” is imprecise. Repetition of “sector” and “jobs” also limits flexibility. Aim for accurate chart language such as “employment,” “rose,” “fell,” “peaked,” and “stood at,” and check that each phrase conveys a specific trend or value.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can generally identify the intended comparisons. However, errors are frequent, and control of basic sentence patterns is inconsistent. For example, “The graph illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the job placements … has been” also mismatches a plural subject and verb. In “other two sector which includes,” the determiner, plural noun and verb form do not agree. There are also awkward tense and article patterns, as in “as we seen” and “in 1960, healthcare sector.” These problems sometimes interrupt understanding. Practise accurate present-tense descriptions of chart data, subject–verb agreement, plural forms and complete comparative clauses before attempting longer sentences.

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