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 provided line graph illustrate the amount of jobs in different sectors of the economy in the united states.
From an overall assessment, the maximum figure of jobs in sectors of the economy had been observed in retail and healhcare; however, the minimum number was noted in agriculture.
On a keener analysis, total of jobs in manufacturing of the economy which was noted 15 millions in 1960. Then, it increased sharply to 20 millions in 1980. While, it dropped slightly over next tow years from 17 millions in 2000 to 13 millions in 2020. Moving to retail, there was an increase year by year, reaching 16 millions in 2020.
In the agriculture sector, the figure initially declined between 6 millions in 1960 and 3 millions in 1980. Lastly, the healthcare sector provide the highest number of jobs. it stood at 3millions in 1960. It then increased significantly over the period.
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 covers all parts of the task by reporting on the four sectors and making general comparisons over the period from 1960 to 2020. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, noting that manufacturing, retail, and healthcare saw significant figures while agriculture was the lowest. However, there are some inaccuracies in data reporting and minor omissions. For instance, the student states that the healthcare sector 'stood at 3 millions in 1960', whereas the graph shows it started at approximately 2 million jobs. Additionally, the description of manufacturing contains fragmented sentence structures that impede clear data comparison. The overall response fulfils the basic requirements of Task 1, but the inaccuracies in figures and slightly disjointed reporting place it at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then body paragraphs dealing with specific sectors. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes disrupted by awkward phrasing and mechanical cohesive devices. For example, 'While, it dropped slightly over next tow years' demonstrates poor linking and referencing, as 'two years' misrepresents the twenty-year span between 2000 and 2020. Furthermore, paragraphing is attempted, but the separation of ideas feels somewhat disjointed rather than naturally flowing. Cohesive devices are used, but they are frequently inaccurate or clumsy. This level of organisation and cohesion corresponds to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting words related to economic sectors such as 'manufacturing', 'retail', 'agriculture', and 'healthcare'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('healhcare', 'tow') and lexical inaccuracies, such as using 'amount of jobs' instead of 'number of jobs'. Collocations and word choices are basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple verbs like 'increased', 'dropped', and 'noted'. While communication is generally maintained despite these errors, the lexical resource lacks flexibility and precision, restricting the score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are several serious grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement and fragment sentences ('total of jobs in manufacturing of the economy which was noted 15 millions in 1960' and 'it stood at 3millions in 1960. It then increased significantly'). Preposition and article errors are also present, as seen in 'in the united states'. The frequency of grammatical errors causes some difficulty for the reader and means that error-free sentences are in the minority. This performance aligns 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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