Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06
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 gives us idea about the employment level in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020 .
On the beginning , it is seen that manufacturing was on top and healthcare was at the last in 1960 . Coming to 1990 , the manufacturing as well as healthcare job has increased whereas agriculture is decreasing year to year . The retail job is also increasing in 1990 than in 1960 .
Likewise , in 2000 , manufacturing , healthcare , and retail have increased from 1990 . The agriculture is decreasing from the very beginning of the graph . In 2020 , the retail and healthcare are in same spot whereas manufacturing and agriculture had decreased as in 2000 .
The graph provided us information about job vacancies available in the US provided by the four sectors of the country . According to the graph , employment level is increasing in manufacturing, retail and healthcare but decreasing in agriculture .
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 attempts to summarise the main features of the graph, but it fails to provide a clear overview or highlight significant trends effectively. The description of the data is fragmented and lacks precision; for instance, stating that sectors are 'in same spot' is vague. Furthermore, the report contains factual inaccuracies regarding the trends (e.g., claiming manufacturing increased in 2020 when the graph shows a decline). The information is not well-selected, and the lack of a clear summary of the overall trends prevents the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant changes and comparing the sectors at key intervals rather than listing data points chronologically.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inappropriate, such as 'On the beginning' or 'Coming to 1990'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between sentences feels repetitive. While there is an attempt to group information, the lack of logical flow between the paragraphs makes the overall structure feel somewhat disjointed. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic verbs like 'increased' and 'decreasing'. There is little evidence of a range of vocabulary suitable for describing trends or data. Some word choices are imprecise or non-standard, such as 'in same spot' or 'at the last'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate a wider variety of synonyms and collocations related to data interpretation, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'peaked', or 'experienced a downward trend'. Expanding your range of descriptive language will help you convey information more precisely and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include 'gives us idea' (missing article), 'On the beginning' (incorrect preposition), and 'manufacturing as well as healthcare job has increased' (subject-verb agreement error). While the meaning is generally clear, these errors are frequent and distract the reader. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which limits the range. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and incorporating more complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, to show greater control over your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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