Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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 line graph demonstrates information about the number of jobs in four different sectors for economy in the US. It compares the jobs in million to the preceeding years like if that particular job number is increased or decreased.

The inclined line of both retail and agriculture shows that after time these both jobs have been increased in job numbers. On the other hand, we have manufacturing and the healthcare sector which have been decreased in job numbers.

There is something important in manufacturing sector that is, it increases to 20 million at first till 1980 and after that it takes a gradual decrease in number of jobs till 2020 which comes between 10 to 15 million jobs. Beside this we have retail sector which is increasing jobs from 1960 to 2000 but after that it has small number of increase till 2020.

From this line graph we conclude that the manufacturing and healthcare are not producing much jobs, by comparing these both to retail and agriculture the number of jobs is increasing and there is not much change in them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the graph by identifying general trends for the four sectors, stating that retail and agriculture increased while manufacturing and healthcare decreased. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. For instance, the student claims that agriculture increased and healthcare decreased, which misrepresents standard chart patterns typically found in this prompt. Furthermore, the selection of main features lacks precision, and the overview is conflated with specific data points in the final paragraph. Ideas are under-developed because key comparisons between the sectors are vague and lack specific figures or proper time markers. Consequently, this performance aligns closely with Band 5, as it addresses the task only partially with limited development of main features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into four paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework. However, the logical progression is weak. The introduction briefly outlines the graph, followed by body paragraphs that mix general observations with vague specific details. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and repetitive manner, such as 'On the other hand,' 'Beside this,' and 'From this line graph we conclude that.' Furthermore, referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly in phrases like 'after time these both jobs have been increased.' There is an absence of sophisticated or flexible transitions, leading to an overall choppy feel. This level of cohesion and paragraphing reflects the descriptors for Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student uses a limited range of vocabulary that is minimally adequate for the task. Words and phrases such as 'number of jobs,' 'sectors,' and 'increase' are repeated frequently throughout the text. There are also noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'for economy' instead of 'in the economy,' 'preceeding years' (misspelled), and 'takes a gradual decrease' instead of 'experiences a gradual decline.' Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey a basic meaning, the frequency of word choice inaccuracies and spelling errors places this firmly in Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The line graph demonstrates information...' and 'There is something important in manufacturing sector that is, it increases...'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Examples include tense confusion ('have been decreased' instead of 'decreased'), article omission ('in manufacturing sector'), and awkward phrasing like 'which comes between 10 to 15 million jobs.' Complex structures often contain faults or clumsy subordination. Because errors are frequent and disrupt the flow of sentences, this performance warrants a Band 5 for grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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