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 provided line graph illustrates changes in the number of jobs in various four sectors of the economy in the US over a 60 year period between 1960 and 2020. The units measured in number (millions).
Overall, it is evident that secondary sector like manufacturing constitued for the most highest economic contributer role throughout 40 years between 1960 and 2000, especially, the manufacturing factor received the highest number of jobs in 1980, with 20 millions regard of production. In terms of Retail and Healthcare, both sectors has steadily increased to slightly above 15 millions, showed the a combined development effect in 2020.
Conversely, the primary sector like agriculture accounded for a low number as around 5 millions from introduction and keep decreased until 2020, just at lower 5 millions. The manufacuring sector was recorded a slight decrease, comprising just around 14 millions of employment in 2020.
Therefore, the agriculture sector and manufacturing are most required for recruiting workers in following year of 2020.
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 attempts to cover the main trends in the four economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. An overview is provided, and some key features are highlighted, such as the manufacturing sector starting high and retail and healthcare increasing over time. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data interpretation and reporting. For example, the writer states that manufacturing had 20 million jobs in 1980, whereas the graph indicates a different figure, and confuses primary and secondary sectors towards the end of the text. Furthermore, the concluding sentence is contradictory and confusing regarding future projections not present in the data. Because of these noticeable inaccuracies in data reporting and incomplete coverage, the response achieves a Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into four paragraphs, showing a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by poor cohesive devices and confusing transitions, such as starting the final paragraph with 'Therefore'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult to follow the comparisons between sectors. Paragraphing is attempted, but ideas within the body paragraphs lack clear organization and flow. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inaccurately throughout the text. These issues place the response at a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally repetitive and restricted, with noticeable errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'constuited for the most highest economic contributer role', 'manufacturing factor', and 'keep decreased'. There are also frequent spelling and grammatical word-choice issues, such as 'manufacuring' and 'accounded'. While the writer attempts less common vocabulary like 'contributor' and 'comprising', these attempts are marred by inaccuracies that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. The lexical range is minimally adequate for the task, fitting a Band 5.0 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but these are frequently marred by basic grammatical errors. Examples include 'both sectors has steadily increased', 'showed the a combined development effect', and 'just at lower 5 millions'. Errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions are frequent throughout the response and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. There is a lack of error-free sentences in complex structures. Control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent, corresponding to a Band 5.0 level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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