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 line graph illustrates the details of the numbers of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the united states between 1960 and 2020, the unit of measurement is millions.
overall, the highest numbers of job in the different sectors of the economy was retail, while the lowest was agriculture. healthcare job increased, while manufacturing decreased.
In 1960,retail had about 7million job sectors, which increased to 10million, in 1980, it increased to 15million in 2000. retail increased to about 2% in 2020 making it the highest sector of the economy in the united kingdom.in 1960 healthcare jobs was 5million,with time it kept increasing till 2020.
Maunfacturing job sectors had a high rate in 1960 with about 15million, in 2020 it reduced drastically to about 12million. In 1960 agriculture had 7million job sectors, it decreased to about 3million in 1980,it remained static for 2 decades,then dropped to 2million in 2020
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the graph, but there are significant inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, you mention '2%' for retail in 2020, which is not supported by the graph, and you incorrectly identify the country as the 'United Kingdom' instead of the 'US'. Furthermore, the description of the manufacturing sector is imprecise, and the data points for agriculture are inconsistently presented. While you attempt to provide an overview, the lack of precision in data interpretation and the factual error regarding the country name prevent this from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure you carefully transcribe the figures and maintain focus on the specific information provided in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the structure is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited, and some transitions feel abrupt, such as the jump between sectors in the final paragraph. The paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Additionally, the lack of clear referencing makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed at times. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus to guide the reader through your analysis.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'increased' and 'decreased' repeatedly. There are also issues with word choice, such as using 'job sectors' redundantly. Spelling errors, such as 'Maunfacturing', and the incorrect identification of the country (United Kingdom instead of US) negatively impact the score. To improve, aim to use a more varied range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure you proofread for basic spelling and factual accuracy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include inconsistent verb tenses, missing articles, and punctuation errors, such as the lack of spaces after commas and periods. For example, 'retail had about 7million job sectors' is grammatically awkward, and 'healthcare jobs was' demonstrates a subject-verb agreement error. These errors occur throughout the text and occasionally impede the flow of information. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and ensuring proper punctuation and spacing between words.
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.