Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01
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)
Basically, this graph shows the number of jobs in the US economy. In this graph we see the jobs in four sectors—manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare—in the US economy from 1960 to 2020. In the manufacturing sector, the number of jobs increased from 1960 to 1980, but after that, the number of jobs in this sector reduced. In the retail sector the number of jobs increases with the passage of time. In the agriculture sector the number of jobs decreased from 1960 to 1980, and after 1980 this number remained constant until 2000 and then again reduced, and in healthcare the job opportunity increased every year.
In conclusion, the number of manufacturing jobs increases until 1980; after that, the number of jobs decreases, but in retail, its number increases every year; in agriculture, the number of jobs decreases, and in healthcare, this number increases every year. So overall this is the information of the US economy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the four sectors mentioned in the graph, but it fails to provide a clear overview or highlight significant trends effectively. The description is largely a list of movements rather than a synthesis of the data. Key features, such as the dramatic rise in healthcare or the specific peak of manufacturing, are mentioned but lack comparative analysis. The conclusion is repetitive, merely restating the body paragraph rather than synthesising the main trends. To reach a higher band, you must identify the 'big picture'—such as the shift from manufacturing to service-based sectors—and use data points to support these observations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into two paragraphs, but the structure is weak. The introduction is repetitive, and the conclusion adds no new value, essentially restating the previous paragraph. There is a lack of cohesive devices; the text relies on simple conjunctions like 'and' or 'but' to link ideas. The progression of information is mechanical, and the lack of paragraphing for different trends makes the text feel like a list. To improve, use linking words such as 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' or 'Conversely' to show the relationship between the different economic sectors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You frequently use phrases like 'the number of jobs' and 'increased/decreased' throughout the text. There is little attempt to use a wider range of vocabulary related to trends (e.g., 'fluctuated,' 'peaked,' 'remained stable,' 'plummeted'). The language is functional but lacks the precision required for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, try to vary your verbs and nouns to describe changes in data more accurately and avoid repeating the same sentence structures.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is generally simple, consisting mostly of basic sentence structures. While the meaning is usually clear, there are issues with tense consistency (e.g., 'the number of jobs increases' when referring to past data). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or participle phrases, which are necessary for higher band scores. Punctuation is basic, and the overall control of grammar is limited. Focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences and ensure that your verb tenses accurately reflect the time period provided in the prompt.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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