Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08

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 graph gives information different types of jobs in US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the line graph shows overall maximum jobs in manufacturing which decreased continously in the coming years and a minimum in agriculture in 60 years.

The graph illustrates maximum 20 million jobs in 1980 but continously declined to over16million and than to 13 million in year 2000 and 2020 respectively. The healthcare department started from 2 million and show growth to 5million in 1980 and later to 11million in 2000 after that reached to 16 million approximately in year 2020. The retail sector started from 6 million and continously shows growth from 1960 to 2020 with a maximum rise to 16 million. In 1960 the retail sector showed minimum number of jobs with a decline from 6 million to 3 million and remained constant from 1960 to 2000 and then declined upto 2 million jobs in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the graph, but there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, the description of the retail sector is contradictory, stating it showed a 'minimum number of jobs' while simultaneously claiming it grew to 16 million. Furthermore, the identification of the sectors is confusing, and the overview is somewhat repetitive. To improve, ensure that the data points cited accurately reflect the graph provided and clearly distinguish between the trends of the four distinct sectors. The summary lacks a clear, accurate synthesis of the overall trends, which is essential for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by confusing transitions and unclear referencing. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the use of 'than' instead of 'then' and the abrupt shifts between sectors. The paragraphing is present but does not effectively group the information to guide the reader through the data. To improve, use clearer signposting language and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one to create a more cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'maximum', 'minimum', and 'growth'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'healthcare department' (which should be 'sector') and 'show growth' (which should be 'showed growth'). The spelling of 'continously' is incorrect. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate a wider range of vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a steady rise', and ensure precise terminology for the sectors described.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'healthcare department... show growth'), incorrect tense usage, and punctuation errors. There are also missing articles and prepositions throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic tense consistency and article usage would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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