Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-12

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 5.0)

The given line graph illustrates the information about the how many jobs available in different four sectors of economy including manufacturing, retail , agriculture and healthcare in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the healthcare and retail showed an unward trend in jobs , while the downward trend in agriculture and manufacturing during the given time period.

Looking first at manufacturing, the figure stood at 15 millions in 1960. After that increased gradually to 20 millions in 1980 . By 2000 decreased slightly to approximately 15 millions and then remained continued to decline , reached around 13 millions in 2020. In camprison, retail begins at 5 millions and then rose sharply at 15 millions in 2000. For latter years it remained constant .

In case of agriculture, started with above 5 millions then plunge to ab

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the four sectors and give a relevant overview of the broad trends, noting growth in healthcare and retail and decline in agriculture and manufacturing. However, the overview is not fully accurate: manufacturing first rises to a peak before falling, rather than declining throughout, and retail does not remain constant in the final period; it edges up from about 15 to 16 million. The report also ends mid-sentence at “then plunge to ab,” so agriculture and healthcare are not adequately described and key comparisons are missing. The response is also below the required 150 words. To make the summary more complete, finish the account of all four lines and report their main turning points and end values accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs beginning with manufacturing and agriculture. The sequence from general trends to individual sectors is appropriate, and phrases such as “Looking first” and “In comparison” attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is weakened by the abrupt ending in the agriculture paragraph, which leaves the final sectors and comparisons unfinished. Some linking is also inaccurate or awkward, such as “For latter years,” and the manufacturing-to-retail comparison is compressed into the same paragraph without a clear transition between the two descriptions. Use complete, clearly separated body paragraphs and connect each sector’s changes with precise time references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “stood at,” “rose sharply,” “downward trend,” and “approximately,” which helps communicate changes in employment. There is some variety in how you describe movement, but several word-choice, spelling, and collocation problems reduce precision: “unward trend” is unclear, “camprison” is misspelled, and “remained continued to decline” is not a natural expression. “Jobs available” is also less suitable here than “number of jobs” or “employment.” These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main topic, but the range remains limited and control is inconsistent. Aim for accurate, conventional chart language and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the opening sentence communicates the chart’s subject. However, errors are frequent, and some attempted structures are incomplete or difficult to follow. For example, “After that increased gradually” lacks a clear subject, while “In case of agriculture, started with above 5 millions” also has no grammatical subject. The phrase “remained continued to decline” combines incompatible verb forms, and the overview’s “the healthcare and retail showed” has an agreement and article problem. Use complete clauses with an explicit subject and a consistent past tense, such as “Manufacturing increased to 20 million in 1980 before declining.” Careful proofreading of sentence boundaries and verb forms would improve clarity.

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