Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15

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 provides the information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, manufacturing sector experienced a decline in jobs and agriculture saw a substantial decrease over the period. Healthcare and retail sectors expanded gradually while healthcare overtook the retail sector.

In detail, jobs in manufacturing sector were at 5 million in 1960 and jobs in agriculture sector were at the peak of 5 million by 1960. The number of jobs in manufacturing grew at 20 million in 1980, before reaching just below than 15 million by 2000. In contrast, the agriculture sector saw a substantial decrease over the period.

Turning to retail and healthcare sector, initially the jobs in healthcare sector were below than 5 million in 1960, later reached at 5 million by 1980. Retail sector contained the jobs at the peak of 5 million in 1960 and reached at 10 million by 1980. In 2000, the jobs in retail sector had grown at 15 million and remained stable until 2020. Despite that, the number of job holders in healthcare sector were reached at 10 million in 2000, then later at 15 million by 2020. The number of jobs in healthcare sector overtook the retail sector over the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student attempts to report the main features and trends from the graph comparing four US economic sectors between 1960 and 2020. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in the data reported. For instance, the student states that manufacturing jobs were at '5 million in 1960' and agriculture jobs were 'at the peak of 5 million by 1960', whereas the chart shows manufacturing started at 15 million and agriculture at 6 million. Furthermore, the description of retail and healthcare contains confused figures and timelines. While an overview is attempted, the pervasive errors in data extraction prevent this response from achieving a higher band. To improve, the student must practice carefully reading data points against the axes and gridlines before writing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. There is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In detail', 'In contrast', and 'Turning to', which helps structure the text. However, logical progression is hindered by confusing sentence structures and inaccurate data referencing. Paragraphing is present, but the internal coherence within the body paragraphs is weakened by vague referencing and abrupt transitions between data points. Overall, the structural framework is visible, but the execution requires tighter logical links and clearer signposting.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary to discuss trends, employing terms such as 'experience a decline', 'substantial decrease', 'expanded gradually', and 'remained stable'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'jobs in manufacturing sector were at 5 million' and 'job holders in healthcare sector were reached'. Less common lexical items are attempted, but they are often imprecise or awkwardly phrased. Spelling is generally accurate, but vocabulary control needs refinement to express quantitative changes more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising structures like 'before reaching just below than 15 million' and 'Despite that, the number of job holders...'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, featuring frequent errors in prepositions, verb forms, and comparatives (e.g., 'below than 5 million', 'reached at 5 million', 'grown at 15 million'). These errors occasionally create minor confusion, although the overall message remains partially understandable. Greater control over tense consistency and passive/active voice in data reporting is required.

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