Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-10
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 4.5)
The line graph illustrates the fish, chicken, beef and lamb consumption in a European country between 1979 and 2004 measured in grams per person per week. Overall, the majority of the figure followed a downward trend over the period, with an exception of chicken, which increased dramatically. Chicken overtaken beef to become the highest, while fish remained the lowest during the period. In 1979, beef and lamb faced similar tend, beef was the highest; at approximately 220 grams per person per week. However, it experienced some fluctuations between 1979 and 1986, before it fell dramatically to 110 grams in 2004. Lamb stood at 150 grams per person per week in 1979 and it frequently declined to approximately 70 grams in 2004. Moving to chicken, the figure recorded the biggest and the only increase over the period, its consumption rose sharply from around 140 grams in 1979 to approximately 240 grams in 2004. As a result, it overtook beef and lamb to become the highest consumption. Finally, fish remained the lowest consumption over the period, it decreased slightly from 60 grams in 1979 to approximately 48 grams in 2004.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 2.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0
The response fails to address the task prompt. The instructions specifically ask for a summary of a graph regarding 'jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020'. However, the student has written a report about 'fish, chicken, beef and lamb consumption in a European country'. This is a complete mismatch with the provided data. While the student identifies main features and trends within their chosen (incorrect) topic, the failure to address the actual prompt provided results in a very low score for Task Achievement, as the task has not been addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into a logical structure with an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moving to', and 'As a result' are used to link ideas. Paragraphing is present, though the text is presented as a single block. Despite the content being entirely irrelevant to the prompt, the internal logic and flow of the writing itself are coherent. The progression of ideas is clear, and referencing is generally accurate within the context of the student's chosen (but incorrect) topic.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fluctuations', 'dramatically', 'sharply', and 'consumption'. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'Chicken overtaken beef' (should be 'Chicken overtook') and 'faced similar tend' (should be 'trend'). However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly. The range is enough to discuss trends and comparisons, which is the primary requirement for this type of task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the majority of the figure followed' (should be 'figures'), 'Chicken overtaken' (should be 'Chicken overtook'), and 'it frequently declined' (should be 'it declined'). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some comma splices. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede the reader's understanding of the information being presented. A wider range of error-free complex structures would be needed for a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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