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 illustrates the information about the many jobs in four department of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020. Overall it can be clearly seen that the highest jobs in Manufacturing of the economy in the US, while the lowest jobs in Agricluture of the economy in the US.

First of all, in 1960, Healthcare accounted for 2 millions jobs and Retail and Agricluture are same proportion, it was approximatley 6 millions. In contrast, in 1960, the higher jobs in Manufacturing at 15 millions. Secoundly, in 1980, Healthcare was increased marginally and agricluture was slightly decresed, while Retail and Manufacturing are increased about 10 millions and 20 millions respectively, After 20 yars ago,Agriculture follows the same trend and Healthcare and Retail raising for before trend, in addition , Manufacturing was decline , accounted for 16 millions job. finally, at the proportion of Manufacuting considerbaly higher than that of Agricluture , at 14 millions and 3 millions job in 2020 and Retail and healthcare are simmiler trend in 2020 stood at 16 millions job.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the prompt by reporting information from the line graph about four economic sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020. However, the task achievement is hindered by inaccuracies in reporting data and a poorly developed overview. For instance, the overview states that Manufacturing had the 'highest jobs' and Agriculture the 'lowest', which is partially true overall, but the phrasing is ungrammatical and simplistic. Furthermore, some data points are misreported or confused; for example, the student claims that in 2020 Manufacturing stood at 14 million jobs (the visual shows approximately 13 million) and mentions inconsistent figures throughout. The overview lacks a clear summary of the overall trends, such as the dramatic rise of healthcare and retail versus the decline in agriculture and manufacturing. Consequently, the response falls into Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows some basic attempts at organisation, utilising sequencing words such as 'First of all', 'Secoundly', and 'finally'. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow due to run-on sentences, poor paragraphing (the entire body of the report is lumped into one massive, dense paragraph after the introduction), and repetitive transitions. Cohesive devices are often used inaccurately or mechanically, such as 'After 20 yars ago, Agriculture follows the same trend and Healthcare and Retail raising for before trend'. Paragraphing is not used effectively to separate different periods or sectors, which impairs the logical flow of the response. Referencing and pronoun use are also weak, leading to confusion regarding which data corresponds to which year. Therefore, a Band 5 is appropriate.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with numerous spelling and word-choice errors that impede clarity. Examples of misspellings and awkward phrasing include 'Agricluture', 'approximatley', 'Manufacuting', 'considerbaly', and 'simmiler'. The student attempts less common vocabulary such as 'proportion', 'marginally', and 'respectively', but these are frequently misused in context (e.g., 'Retail and Agricluture are same proportion, it was approximatley 6 millions'). The range of vocabulary is limited and heavily relies on lifting words directly from the prompt. Due to the frequency of lexical errors and restricted range, the response fits the Band 5 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammatical range is limited, consisting mostly of simple and attempted complex sentences that frequently break down due to structural errors. There are persistent issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'Retail and Agricluture are same proportion, it was approximatley 6 millions' and 'Healthcare was increased marginally and agricluture was slightly decresed'. Punctuation is also problematic, marked by comma splices and run-on sentences (e.g., 'in addition , Manufacturing was decline , accounted for 16 millions job. finally, at the proportion...'). Complex structures are consistently faulty. These frequent errors cause significant difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with Band 4.5 to 5.0, comfortably placing it at Band 5.

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

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