Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-13

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 illustrates information about number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, the number of jobs offered in manufacturing is the highest while they are the lowest in healthcare. Jobs in retail increases over the period and jobs in agriculture decreases.

In year 1960 Manufacturing offered about 15 million jobs and reached its peak in 1980 with 20 million jobs. Retail and Agriculture both offered only 5 million jobs but Retail jobs increased in 1980 while Agricultural jobs decreased. The jobs in healthcare sector increased dramatically from being less then 3 million in 1960 to being 5 million in 1980.

After 1980 the jobs in manufacturing decreased to 16 million and kept decreasing. It reached less then 15 million in 2020. Comparing it with healthcare and Retail, they both increased dramatically and reached more then 15 million in 2020 while agricultural jobs kept on declining and reached very close to 0 in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several relevant trends, including manufacturing’s rise to a peak in 1980 and subsequent decline, and the growth of retail and healthcare. However, the overview contains a major inaccuracy: manufacturing is not the highest sector throughout, and healthcare is not the lowest throughout. By 2020, retail and healthcare are both around 16 million, while agriculture is lowest. Some figures and comparisons are also imprecise: retail and agriculture were about 6 million in 1960, and agriculture ended near 2 million, not close to zero. The response is three words below the 150-word minimum, with 16 copied prompt words excluded. Develop a more accurate overview and report the final rankings clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing changes over time. The sequence from 1960 to 1980 and then after 1980 is easy to follow, and linking phrases such as “Overall,” “After 1980,” and “Comparing it with” help guide the reader. However, the overview’s claim that manufacturing remains highest and healthcare lowest makes the later comparison harder to reconcile. Some references are also vague, particularly “they both increased dramatically,” where naming retail and healthcare again would improve clarity. Use more precise comparisons and connect each paragraph’s details to an accurate overview.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a suitable range of trend vocabulary, including “reached its peak,” “increased dramatically,” “decreased,” and “kept on declining.” These choices make the main movements understandable. However, some expressions are imprecise or repetitive: “jobs offered” is less natural for describing employment totals, and “increased dramatically” is repeated without distinguishing the different patterns. “Very close to 0” also overstates the agricultural figure. There are spelling and word-form slips, including “less then” and “Agricultural” where the sector name is intended. Aim for more precise terms such as “employment,” “rose steadily,” and “fell to around two million,” while checking spelling and consistent sector labels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use both simple sentences and some more developed structures, such as “After 1980 the jobs in manufacturing decreased to 16 million and kept decreasing.” Most sentences remain understandable, and errors rarely prevent the reader from following the trends. Some grammatical issues are noticeable, however: “the number of jobs … is the highest while they are the lowest” has unclear agreement and reference, and “Jobs in retail increases” should use a plural-compatible verb form. Articles and time expressions also need attention in “In year 1960” and “in 1980.” Review subject–verb agreement, article use, and consistent past-tense reporting to make the comparisons more accurate and controlled.

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