Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13
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 assigned line graph tracks the proportion of Number of jobs in numerous sector of the economy in the us from 1960 to 2020
Overall, healthcare sector followed the upward trajectory by the end of the year 2020 around 16%. While, manufacturing sector observed as downward in the end of the period around 13%.
In detail, manufacturing sector was around 15% in 1960, which gradually rise 20% in 1980 and interestingly fall by the year 2000 and remains stagnant in the end of the year 2020 around 14%.
Scrutinising further, agriculture sector was 7% in 1960, which suddenly decrease in 1980 around 2% and remain same by the year 2020 then decrease in 2020 around 1%. In 1960 the retail sector was around 7%, which rose around 10% in 1980 and 15% in 2000. therefore, the margin show the retail sector was continuously increased through the end of the year 2020 around 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying key trends in the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. The student attempts to make relevant comparisons and highlights overall trajectories, such as the upward trend of the healthcare sector and the downward movement of the manufacturing sector. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the specific data points and confusing descriptions, such as stating that the agriculture sector remained the same until 2020 'then decrease in 2020 around 1%'. This places the response comfortably at Band 5.5, as it addresses the task and attempts to present an overview, but features limited and occasionally unclear data reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is organized into paragraphs with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific sectors. However, the overall progression is somewhat disjointed, and cohesive devices are used clumsily or inaccurately, such as starting a sentence with 'therefore, the margin show the retail sector...' which disrupts the logical flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and paragraphing is underdeveloped, especially with the overly condensed concluding section. This aligns with Band 5.0, where there is some organization and paragraphing, but cohesive devices are inadequate and the overall progression lacks smooth transitions.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts to use a range of vocabulary suitable for a Task 1 report, incorporating terms like 'upward trajectory', 'gradually rise', and 'stagnant'. However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'proportion of Number of jobs in numerous sector', 'observed as downward', and 'suddenly decrease'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but word choice inaccuracies and collocation errors occur frequently throughout the response, reflecting the Band 5.0 descriptor where vocabulary is limited and noticeable errors occur.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though complex structures are often faulty. Examples of grammatical errors include missing articles ('in US' instead of 'in the US'), incorrect verb forms ('which gradually rise 20%'), and run-on sentences with incorrect punctuation ('In 1960 the retail sector was around 7%, which rose around 10% in 1980 and 15% in 2000. therefore, the margin show...'). These frequent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptor where limited range and frequent grammatical errors are present.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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