Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19
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 the data regarding to the numerous jobs in four different sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, Manufacturing sector has maximum jobs in 1960 while other sectors has least. Retail and healthcare sectors rise with the time.
Firstly, Manufacturing sector has 15 millions job in 1960. In next 20 years, 5 millions new jobs produced in this sector. Then this number will gradually decline over next 40 years. In 2020, the number vary between 10 to 15 millions jobs.
Secondly, Retail sector has more and less 6 millions jobs in 1960. With the time the line surge rapidly. In 2020, there was 15 millions jobs in retail sectors.
Thirdly, Agriculture sector did not grow with the period. Initially, It has almost 6 millions jobs in 1960 but in 1980 there was only more and less 4 millions jobs. Next four decades, the line slightly change.
Lastly, Healthcare sector has minimum jobs in 1960 which was only around 2.5 millions but next two decades job will increased. After 1980 we can see a sharp climb in healthcare sector.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student addresses the main features of the graph, selecting and reporting key data points across the four sectors from 1960 to 2020. An overview is attempted, noting that manufacturing had the most jobs initially and that retail and healthcare rose over time, though it contains minor inaccuracies regarding the 1960 starting levels. Key trends are generally identified, such as the peak and subsequent decline of manufacturing and the steady rise of retail and healthcare. However, some data points lack precision or are phrased vaguely, such as 'more and less 6 millions jobs' and 'the line vary between 10 to 15 millions jobs'. Overall, all parts of the prompt are covered, but development and precision remain somewhat limited, placing this response securely at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, following a clear structure of an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for each sector introduced by sequencing words ('Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Thirdly', 'Lastly'). However, the overall progression is somewhat mechanical, and cohesive devices are frequently overused or awkward. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen with pronoun usage or vague transitions like 'In next 20 years' and 'With the time'. Paragraphing is present and separates ideas adequately, but the lack of flexible cohesive ties and occasional awkward transitions prevent it from reaching a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully employing topic-specific terms such as 'sector', 'economy', 'manufacturing', 'retail', 'agriculture', and 'healthcare'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors, awkward collocations, and non-standard phrasing throughout, such as 'numerous jobs' instead of 'the number of jobs', '5 millions new jobs produced', and 'more and less 6 millions jobs'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but word choice limitations and awkward expressions restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical accuracy is weak. There are frequent errors in verb tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and article usage. Examples include 'Manufacturing sector has maximum jobs', 'job will increased', and 'It has almost 6 millions jobs'. Tense shifts are particularly problematic when describing past data, often switching inappropriately between present and future forms (e.g., 'Then this number will gradually decline'). These persistent errors can cause occasional difficulty for the reader, aligning the grammar with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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