Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-29

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 employment numbers in millions across four different sectors - Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture and Healthcare - in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, manufacturing produced most number of jobs from 1960 till 2000, and receded later on. Retail and healthcare showed a significant increase over the time period even though they started low initially. Agriculture however, declined through out the timeline.

Manufacturing, dominated the employment numbers from 1960 to 2000 with 15 million

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the ability to fully address the task. While you have identified the main trends for the four sectors, the response is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence after discussing only one sector in detail. Because the task is not finished, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive summary or make all necessary comparisons. To improve, you must ensure you complete the analysis of all data points and provide a full report that meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic attempt at logical organization, with an introduction and an overview paragraph. However, because the text is incomplete, there is no overall progression or coherent development of ideas. Cohesive devices are used in a limited way, such as 'Overall' and 'however', but the abrupt ending prevents a proper assessment of paragraphing and flow. To improve, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that you use a wider range of linking words to connect your observations about the different sectors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with terms like 'illustrates', 'employment numbers', 'significant increase', and 'receded'. However, the range is limited due to the brevity of the response. There are no major errors in word choice, but the vocabulary lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise reporting verbs and adjectives to describe trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'plummeted', or 'gradual growth', rather than relying on simple descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is generally accurate in the sentences provided, with a mix of simple and complex structures. There is a minor punctuation error in the third paragraph ('Manufacturing, dominated...'), where a comma unnecessarily separates the subject from the verb. Given the limited length, it is difficult to judge the full range of your grammatical ability. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent accuracy and try to vary your sentence structures further, ensuring that punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing.

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.