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 graph illustrates the data about the number of jobs in U.S. from 1960 to 2020 in four different sectors of economy.

Overall the data of jobs in four sectors of economy is increasing, also decreasing, and the retail has a lot of much increases. Also healthcare has so much increase in jobs for economy.

On the other hand, the retail jobs in 1960 has increased dramatically from 5% to 10% till the 1980, then also increased till the 15% till 2000 and increased till the 2020.The healthcare industry jobs are increasing from nearly 2.5% in 1960, and it got reached till 5% in 1980, and it slightly increased till 2000, and it increases till the end.

The manufacturing and agriculture both are going downwards till 2020. The manufacturing in 1960 has increases from 50% till 20% and comes down till 2020. And when the agriculture starts from 5% in 1960, come slower till 2.5% in 1980 and it remains equal till the 2000 and then slightly decreases into 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student attempts to cover the main trends in the four sectors of the economy, but the response suffers from significant inaccuracies regarding data values and units. For example, the writer uses percentages (% instead of millions) throughout the response, stating that retail jobs 'increased dramatically from 5% to 10%'. Furthermore, some reported trends conflict with the actual chart data (e.g., claiming manufacturing in 1960 'increases from 50%'). The overview is extremely weak, merely stating that jobs are 'increasing, also decreasing'. While the response addresses the prompt generally, the confusion over units and imprecise reporting limits it to Band 4.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak cohesive ties. Transitional phrases like 'On the other hand' are used inappropriately where no contrast exists. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and sentences within paragraphs do not flow smoothly together. The overall organization shows an attempt to group information (retail and healthcare together, manufacturing and agriculture together), but awkward sequencing and mechanical transitions restrict the coherence to a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on words like 'increase', 'decrease', 'jobs', and 'sectors'. The persistent misuse of percentage signs ('5%') instead of millions indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of the data units. There are frequent word-choice errors, such as 'got reached' and 'comes down till'. While the vocabulary is adequate to convey a rudimentary topic, the lexical limitations and errors place this at a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many of these attempts are flawed or heavily convoluted. There are frequent grammatical errors involving tense consistency, prepositions, and verb forms, such as 'retail jobs in 1960 has increased' and 'agriculture starts... come slower'. Punctuation is also erratic in places. These errors frequently cause strain and difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with the Band 5.0 descriptors.

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