Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16
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 chart shows the data of how many jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US beyween 1960 and 2020.
Overall, except manufacturing and agriculture are started higher in1960. Then, decreased of economy in 2020. Whilst the remaining economy started at thier lower percentage in 1960, and then increased in 2020.
The manufacturing started with around 15% in 1960. However, before falling steadily it increased to approximately 20% in 1980. Then, declined to below 15% in 2020. The agriculture started above 5% in 1960 and remained decreased to below 5% in 2020.
The retail started at 5% and the healthcare was 2% and steadily increased to 16% in 2020. These are the highest number economy of that year. It showed how popular these economies are in all of the other economy.
This chart line proves that economy is upredictable it showed whether higher or lower number of economy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main features of the chart, but it contains several inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the data. For instance, the student states that manufacturing and agriculture started higher in 1960 and then 'decreased of economy in 2020', which is vague and confusing. Furthermore, data values are incorrectly reported as percentages (e.g., 'around 15%', '5%') rather than millions of jobs as shown on the axis. While an overview is attempted, it is poorly expressed and grammatically flawed. The comparison between sectors lacks precision and clarity. Overall, the task is addressed only partially, corresponding to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward phrasing and confusing transitions. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or incorrectly, such as 'Overall, except manufacturing and agriculture are started higher...' which creates confusion rather than coherence. Referencing is also weak, making it difficult to follow the relationships between the data points across the different time periods. While the overall structure attempts to follow an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding thought, the poor referencing and mechanical use of cohesive devices place this at a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'started', 'increased', and 'decreased'. There are also significant word choice and collocation errors, such as using 'economies' to refer to job sectors ('these are the highest number economy of that year') and misreporting units as percentages. The student attempts some less common vocabulary like 'unpredictable', but it is used in a vague concluding sentence that does not fit an academic report style. The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task, resulting in a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most complex sentence attempts are faulty or grammatically incomplete, such as 'Overall, except manufacturing and agriculture are started higher in1960. Then, decreased of economy in 2020.' There are frequent errors in verb tense, voice, and sentence boundaries, including fragments and run-on structures ('The retail started at 5% and the healthcare was 2% and steadily increased to 16% in 2020.'). These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and impede clear communication, aligning with the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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