Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

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 iilustrate that number of jobs in four sector (Manufacturing , Retail , Agriculture, Healthcare) of the economy n the us from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, The number of jobs in healthcare at lowest in 1960 and in manufacturing sectors are at highest level in in 1980.

The number of jobs in reatils sector went up from 5 to 10 in 1980 then Rose to 15 in 2000 and finally plateaued. In manufacturing sectors number of jobs fristly elevated from 15 to 20 at pak level then sharply declined to 13 in 2000. In agriculutre sector the number of jobs reduced 6 to 3 then level off till 2000. In healthcare sector the number of jobs soared then surged from 1960 to 2000,

The highest increased in number of jobs in retail and healhcare sector , On the other sector such as manufacturing and agriculutre jobs are went down .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the four sectors and report several important trends, including manufacturing peaking in 1980 and agriculture declining. However, some key details are inaccurate or incomplete: manufacturing falls to 13 in 2020, not 2000, and retail ends at about 16 rather than simply plateauing after 2000. The overview also says manufacturing was highest in 1980 but does not clearly summarise the later convergence of retail and healthcare, which both reach about 16 by 2020. Healthcare’s rise is described without figures or a clear endpoint. To strengthen the response, give a more accurate overview of the contrasting trends and support it with selected start, peak, and end values.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an opening, an overview, and a paragraph describing sector trends. This gives the reader some sense of how the information is organised. However, progression is uneven: the final sentence repeats the broad idea that retail and healthcare rose while manufacturing and agriculture fell, rather than adding a clear comparison. Some links between details are also unclear, particularly “soared then surged,” which does not specify the period or values. Grouping the rising sectors together and the declining sectors together, then comparing their endpoints, would create a clearer progression. Use linking expressions selectively and ensure each sentence contributes a distinct feature.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of trend vocabulary, including “plateaued,” “elevated,” “declined,” and “soared,” which is appropriate for describing a line graph. However, several spelling errors and inaccurate or awkward choices reduce precision: “reatils,” “agriculutre,” and “pak” are difficult to read, while “the highest increased” and “jobs are went down” are not natural expressions. “Soared then surged” is also repetitive and does not distinguish the healthcare trend clearly. Aim for accurate, conventional collocations such as “the number of jobs rose,” “reached a peak,” and “fell steadily.” Proofreading spelling and choosing precise trend verbs will make your descriptions easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and some longer sentences with time clauses, such as “went up from 5 to 10 in 1980 then Rose to 15 in 2000.” However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships between ideas unclear. Examples include “graph illustrate,” “number of jobs … at lowest,” and “jobs are went down”; these show problems with subject–verb agreement, articles, and verb forms. The sentence beginning “In manufacturing sectors number of jobs” also lacks a clear grammatical structure. Use a consistent past tense for the historical data, check singular and plural agreement, and build longer sentences around a clear subject and verb. More accurate simple sentences would improve clarity before you attempt complex structures.

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