Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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 given line graph showed the number of jobs in four sectors was manufacturing, retail, agriculture, heathcare in USA between 1960 and 2020.

To begin with, in 1960 the high demanded job was manufacturing at 15 millions followed by argriculture and retail both sector gave same number just above 5 million and people showed lowest amount of interest in healthcare centre at 2 million. Afterthat, the manufacturing sector hit the highest point in 1980 was 20 million. While, the retail and healthcare showed little increaed between 10 and 5 million. However, the sector of agriculture job decreased in following three years. Moreover, in 2000 and 2020 the retail and healthcare field changed dramaticially and at 16 million in 2020. In addition, in 2000 to 2020 low amount of society wanted jobs in manufacturing sector.

Overall, the people of USA showed large curiosity in manufacturing field in the begining. Although, in between 2000 to 2020 society interest move towards retail and healthcare department.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the four sectors and reporting main features across the period from 1960 to 2020. However, the student's reporting of data contains several inaccuracies and confusion regarding figures and years. For example, stating that manufacturing was 'at 15 millions' and later reaching '20 million in 1980' shows an attempt to report trends, but other descriptions are vague or inaccurate, such as 'retail and healthcare showed little increaed between 10 and 5 million' and 'at 16 million in 2020'. The overview attempts to capture the main shifts, noting that manufacturing started high while retail and healthcare grew later. Ideas are presented, but data precision is lacking, placing the response at a Band 5.0 level for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into four paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and an overview conclusion. While paragraphing is attempted, the overall progression within paragraphs is difficult to follow due to mechanical and faulty cohesive devices. Transitional phrases such as 'To begin with', 'Afterthat', 'However', and 'In addition' are used, but they often link ideas in confusing ways or do not match the logical flow of the data. For instance, 'Afterthat, the manufacturing sector hit the highest point in 1980 was 20 million. While, the retail and healthcare showed little increaed between 10 and 5 million. However, the sector of agriculture job decreased in following three years.' creates disjointed transitions. Cohesion is inadequate and referencing is frequently unclear, leading to a Band 5.0 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student uses a limited and repetitive range of vocabulary, such as 'jobs', 'sector', 'number', and 'highest point'. There are frequent errors in word choice, collocation, and word formation, such as 'high demanded job', 'heathcare', 'increaed', and 'dramaticially'. Phrases like 'low amount of society wanted jobs' and 'large curiosity in manufacturing field' are unnatural and inappropriate for academic writing. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey a basic topic, the noticeable errors and restricted range mean the response aligns best with Band 5.0 descriptors for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences or awkward attempts at complex structures that are frequently faulty. Examples of grammatical errors include missing articles, tense confusion, and incorrect clause structures, such as 'The given line graph showed the number of jobs in four sectors was manufacturing, retail, agriculture, heathcare in USA' and 'the manufacturing sector hit the highest point in 1980 was 20 million'. Frequent errors in grammar and punctuation cause difficulty for the reader and obscure the precise meaning of the sentences, justifying a Band 4.5 or rounded 5.0 score.

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