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)

The graph chart illustrates the information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020. This graph breakdown four sector which are manufacturing, retail, agriculture and also healthcare.

Overall, it is clear manufacturing went up in 1980 but after that it is sharply go down. Similarly, agriculture also decreasing year after year. However, retail and healthcare are both have positive outcomes.

In contrast, manufacturing was climb from 15 to 20 between 1960 to 1980. But, after 1980 manufacturing drop very dramatically. It also happen with agriculture it was around 7

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Because the text is only 99 words, the analysis is incomplete and lacks the necessary detail to fully cover the task. While you identified some trends, such as the decline in manufacturing and agriculture, the description is underdeveloped. You did not provide sufficient data points or comparisons to support your summary, and the response ends abruptly, leaving the information regarding healthcare and retail largely unexamined. To improve, you must ensure you provide a comprehensive overview of all four sectors and include specific data points to support your observations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into short paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the logical progression is hindered by the lack of sufficient content. Cohesive devices are used in a very basic and sometimes repetitive manner, such as 'In contrast' and 'Similarly'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences is disjointed. To achieve a higher band, you should focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that connects logically to the next, creating a more cohesive narrative throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic verbs like 'go down', 'climb', and 'drop'. There is little attempt to use more precise academic vocabulary suitable for describing trends in a graph. For example, instead of 'go down', you could use 'decline' or 'plummet'. Additionally, there are errors in word choice and form, such as 'graph breakdown' instead of 'graph breaks down' or 'shows'. To improve, you should expand your range of vocabulary to include synonyms for movement and change, and pay closer attention to word forms and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'retail and healthcare are both have positive outcomes' and 'manufacturing was climb'. Tense usage is also inconsistent, switching between present and past without clear justification. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with few attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses when describing historical data, and practicing the use of complex structures like relative clauses or passive voice to add variety to your writing.

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

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