Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-15
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 GRAPH ILLUSTRATE DETAIL ABOUT JOBS IN FOUR SECTORES OF ECONOMY IN USA BETWEEN 1960 AND 2020.
IN 1960, THERE WAS HIGHEST JOBS ARE IN SECTOR MANUFACTURING AROUND 15MILLIOMS AND IT'S INCREASED TO 20MILLION IN 1980 AND AFTER THAT THERE WAS SLIGHTLY DOWN IN 2020 AROUND 17 MILLION AND IN 2020 IT STILL DECREASE TO AROUND 13MILLION. AND FOR HEALTHCARE SECTORE JOBS LOWEST THAN OTHER THREE SECTORS IN 1960 THAT'S AROUND 3 MILLION. BUT THERE IS GOOD THING THAT THERE WAS INCREASED TO 5 MILLION IN 1980 AND IT'S CONSTANT INCREASED BY 2000 TO 2020 IN 2000 AROUND 11 MILLION AND IN 2020 IT'S SAME LEVEL TO REATIL SECTOR.
RETAIL AND AGRICULTURE ARE SAME LEVEL ON 1960 AROUND 6 MILLION AND IN 1980 THERE WAS MAJOR CHANGES SHOWED IN RETAIL SECTOR JOB INCREASED TO 10 MILLION BUT FOR AGRICULTURE SECOTER THERE WAS DICREASED TO 3 MILLION AND IN AGRICULTURE SECTORE JOBS THERE WAS SAME AT 2000 AND IT'S DICREASED AROUND 2 MILLION. THERE WAS INCRESED IN RETAIL SECTOER IN 2000 AND STABLE SAME LEVEL IN 2020.
OVERALL, THERE WAS MAJOR DOWNFALL IN JOB ARE SHOWED IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND RAPIDLY INCREASED SHOWED IN AGRICULTURE SECTORE AND NOT MAJORE CHANGES SHOWED IN OTHER TWO SECTOR.
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 all four sectors and provides data points for the years mentioned. However, the analysis is marred by significant inaccuracies in reporting the data. For example, you state that agriculture 'rapidly increased' in the conclusion, whereas the graph shows a clear downward trend. Additionally, the description of the manufacturing sector is confusing and contradictory regarding the timeline. While you attempt to identify main features, the lack of precision in interpreting the figures prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure that your summary accurately reflects the visual data provided and avoid contradictory statements in your overview.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes repetitive (e.g., 'there was' is used excessively to start sentences). The logical progression is hindered by the inaccurate data reporting, making it difficult to follow the trends you are describing. While there is an attempt at an overview, the connection between sentences is often weak, and the transition between the body paragraphs and the conclusion is not smooth. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear focus would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'increase', 'decrease', and 'same level'. There are frequent spelling errors, such as 'SECTORES', 'MILLIOMS', 'REATIL', and 'DICREASED', which occasionally impede the reader's understanding. You lack the range of vocabulary needed to describe trends precisely (e.g., using 'fluctuated', 'peaked', or 'remained stable'). To reach a higher band, you should focus on learning topic-specific collocations for describing graphs and proofreading for basic spelling mistakes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies almost entirely on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('there was highest jobs are', 'there was major changes showed') and article usage. The misuse of tenses and the persistent use of 'there was' as a filler structure limit the complexity of your writing. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic sentence construction prevents a higher score. You should practice using a wider variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, and focus on basic grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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