Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31

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 diagram illustrates the jobs in the US sectors of economy in the period [redacted phone] .

Overall, the jobs in the economy sector range in millions . The range was about 25 millions . The jobs of economy contain four sectors in the United States.

The jobs in Manufacturing were increased from 15 to 20 million in 1980 and then there is sudden loss in jobs between 15-10 millions till 2020 . Manufacturing was at a higher rate in 1980. Whereas, Retail jobs keep increasing from 6-10 in 1980 then 10-15 in 2000 and then continues till 2020.

However , jobs in Agriculture were decreased from 5-0 till 2020 . Agriculture was the lowest sector in the US .Health care jobs were increased till 15 in 2020 .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While you have identified the four sectors and some trends, the overview is vague and lacks a clear summary of the main features. The description of the data is often imprecise (e.g., '6-10 in 1980 then 10-15 in 2000'), and you have not adequately compared the sectors. To improve, ensure you provide a clear, concise overview of the major trends and support your points with specific, accurate data points from the graph. The under-length nature of the response prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'then' and 'and'. The transition between sentences is often abrupt, making the text feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'In contrast', 'Subsequently', 'Following this trend') to connect your ideas more fluidly and improve the overall flow of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple verbs like 'increased' and 'decreased' and struggle with precise terminology for describing trends. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'economy sector' and 'sudden loss in jobs', which are not the most natural ways to describe economic data. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more varied and precise vocabulary for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'declined steadily', or 'remained stable'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles, prepositions, and verb tenses (e.g., 'The jobs in Manufacturing were increased', 'the jobs in the economy sector range in millions'). These errors occasionally make the meaning slightly unclear. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring subject-verb agreement. Additionally, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.

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.