Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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)

Graph shows that the number of jobs in four different sector that is manufacturing , retail , agriculture, healthcare of economy in the US.Time period given from 1960 to 2020

Number of jobs in manufacturing sector in year 1960 it was 15 millions which raise to 20 million in two decades, however a down fall started and by end of given time period it reached to almost 14 million. Moreover in retail sector it dtarted from 6 million and steady increase till 2000 and reaches to 15 million and in 2020 it touches to almost 17 million . Similarly the same trend seen in agriculture sector as there was a steady increase by end of given period . Whereas, in case of healthcare the economy fallen down from 6 to 2 million

Overall, in retail and agriculture the economy rose and in manufacturing and healthcare the jobs got

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While the report identifies some main features, the analysis is incomplete and contains factual inaccuracies regarding the data (e.g., stating agriculture increased when the graph shows a decline, and misinterpreting the healthcare trend). The overview is underdeveloped and lacks clarity. To improve, you must ensure all data points are accurately transcribed and that the overview highlights the most significant trends rather than just listing individual figures. The response is also cut off at the end, leaving the final sentence unfinished.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear logical progression. Paragraphing is insufficient, with the introduction and body paragraphs merged or poorly defined. Cohesive devices are largely absent, making the text feel like a list of disjointed sentences rather than a cohesive report. For example, the transition between the manufacturing and retail sectors is abrupt. To reach a higher band, you should use linking words such as 'in contrast', 'subsequently', or 'meanwhile' to connect ideas and ensure each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping sectors with similar trends together.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'rose' and 'started'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'dtarted' instead of 'started', and awkward phrasing like 'the economy fallen down'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the data with precision. To improve, you should incorporate more varied terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'experienced a downward trend', or 'remained relatively stable', and ensure that you use sector-specific terminology accurately to describe the economic data provided in the graph.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Graph shows' instead of 'The graph shows'), incorrect tense usage, and missing articles. Sentence structures are mostly simple, and the lack of punctuation makes the text difficult to follow. The final sentence is incomplete, which is a significant grammatical failure. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensure consistent use of past tense when describing historical data, and practice proofreading to catch missing articles and minor slips in verb forms.

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