Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-28

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 picture shows the trend of number of jobs in four sectors of united states in the period between 1960 to 2020. The provided chart illustrates the changes in job sectors across 1960 to 2020 and gives information about ups and down in job markets.

In 1960 number of jobs in manufacturing industry were highest in number and until 1960 this sector showed upward trend and then gradual decrease un 2020.overall other jobs in other sectors are almost the same in 1960 but showed different trends until 2020.

Two sectors retail and healthcare showed upward trend in given period. looking at the details healthcare and reatail started from 2 million and 6 million jobs respectlly and they are at the same level in 2020.

if we talk about agriculture sector, it showed 6 million jobs in 1960 but in contrast to retail number of jobs in this sector decreases with time and from 1980 to 2020 jobs neighter increase nor decrease.

manufacturing sector showed surge of jobs from 1960 to 1980 period but after this number of jobs gradual decrease.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad patterns: manufacturing rises before declining, retail and healthcare increase, and agriculture falls. You also include some relevant figures, such as agriculture’s six million jobs in 1960 and healthcare’s two million at the start. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear. Manufacturing peaked in 1980, not “until 1960,” and retail and healthcare did not start at six and two million respectively as a pair and then finish at the same level: by 2020 both were about 16 million, while retail began at six and healthcare at two. The overview is also vague and does not clearly identify the leading sectors or the major changes. Select and compare the main figures more precisely, and make the overview explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from a general introduction to sector-specific comments, and paragraph breaks help separate some information. However, the overall progression is not consistently clear: manufacturing is discussed in the second paragraph and then repeated at the end, while the overview is mixed with details. Linking phrases such as “if we talk about” and “in contrast to” are used, but connections between comparisons are sometimes unclear, and the repeated references to “other sectors” do not guide the reader precisely. Organise the report into a clear introduction, an overview, and grouped detail paragraphs—for example, rising sectors together and declining sectors together—and avoid repeating the same trend.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “upward trend,” “gradual decrease,” and “surge,” which helps describe changes over time. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “ups and down in job markets,” “highest in number,” and “they are at the same level.” Spelling errors, including “reatail,” “respectlly,” and “neighter,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise chart language and consistent collocations, such as describing a sector as having the highest number of jobs or saying that two figures converged at approximately the same level. Check spelling carefully, especially for key sector names and comparison words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “but,” “and,” and “if,” so there is some structural variety. However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “In 1960 number of jobs … were highest” has article and agreement problems, while “until 1960 this sector showed upward trend” does not express the intended time period clearly. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “2020.overall,” and several sentences begin without capital letters. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and sentence construction, using forms such as “Manufacturing employment rose from 1960 to 1980, then declined.” Proofread articles, verb forms, and punctuation.

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.