Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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 change in numbers of jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 to 2020.

Overall, healthcare and retail showed an upward tend over the period, whereas manufacturing and agriculture followed opposite pattern. It is also noticeable that manufacturing sector shows a highest peak at 20.

At the beginning of the period, jobs in manufacturing sector stood at 20 millions. It then gradually decreased to approximately to 13 million by the end of period. Following this, the figure healthcare also fell from 5 to 3 millions in 1980 and showed nearly constant by the end of 2020.

A similar opposite trend wa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the ability to fully address the task. While you have identified some main features, the analysis is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence. To achieve a higher band, you must provide a comprehensive overview and ensure all four sectors are described with sufficient detail and comparisons. The current length prevents a full development of the data, leading to a failure to report on all parts of the task. You must ensure you complete the summary and provide a full analysis of the trends for all categories mentioned in the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks a clear logical progression because it is incomplete. While you attempted to use an introductory paragraph and an overview, the abrupt ending makes it impossible to assess the overall structure or the effective use of cohesive devices. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of a conclusion or a fully developed body section hinders the flow of information. To improve, ensure that your ideas are fully developed and that you use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect your observations logically throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and limited in range. You used phrases like 'upward trend' and 'opposite pattern' correctly, but there are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'shows a highest peak' (should be 'reached its peak') and 'the figure healthcare' (should be 'the figure for healthcare'). To improve, aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'experienced a sharp decline', and ensure you use articles and prepositions correctly to maintain natural phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that impede clarity. Examples include 'between 1960 to 2020' (should be 'between 1960 and 2020'), 'manufacturing sector shows a highest peak' (tense inconsistency), and 'showed nearly constant' (should be 'remained nearly constant'). There is also an incomplete sentence at the end ('A similar opposite trend wa'). The range of structures is limited to simple sentences. To improve, focus on using a mix of complex sentence structures and proofread carefully to ensure subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage, especially when describing historical data.

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

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