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 given line chart illustrates jobs availability in four different economy sectors in the US throughout 1960 to 2020.

Overall, It was seen from the graph, jobs in manufacturing sector was in highest demand, whereas fewest people interested in agriculture work. However, jobs in retail and healthcare shows massive popularity throughout the whole period.

In manufacturing work over 15 millions jobs availability observed in 1960 followed by 20 millions in 1980. However, manufacturing jobs went down steadily over a period of 40 years till 2020 reaching around 13 millions. On other hand retail and agriculture job were 2 millions and 6 millions respectively. Regardless of how, rapid jump observed and huge surge identify in these to sector which was reaching around 16 millions till 2020.

Moreover, in healthcare sector 6 millions jobs are accessible for people's in 1960 which was dramatically decrease from 1960 to 1980 and reaching to around 4 millions. From 1980 to 2020 healthcare jobs remain stable around 4 millions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the chart, providing an overview and mentioning data points for the four sectors. However, there are significant data misinterpretations that pull the score down. For instance, the student states that agriculture jobs were 6 millions and retail 2 millions in 1960, whereas the reverse is true according to the chart. Furthermore, the description of the healthcare and agriculture sectors contains confused data, stating that healthcare jobs were 6 million in 1960 and decreased to 4 million, which contradicts the visual data showing healthcare rising from 2 million to 16 million. While the general trends of manufacturing and retail are captured adequately, the inaccuracies in data reporting prevent a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs addressing specific sectors. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by inaccurate data handling and abrupt transitions. Cohesive devices are used, but some are awkward or mechanically applied, such as 'On other hand' and 'Regardless of how'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow which data points correspond to which sectors in the latter half of the text. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is weak.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with several lexical errors and awkward collocations. Examples include 'jobs availability' instead of 'job availability' or 'the availability of jobs', and 'economy sectors' instead of 'economic sectors'. The student attempts less common vocabulary such as 'dramatically decrease' (which should be 'dramatically decreased') and 'huge surge', but these are undermined by frequent word choice and form errors that occasionally impede smooth reading. Spelling is generally acceptable, but the overall range is limited.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and faulty attempts at complex forms. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response, such as missing auxiliary verbs and incorrect verb forms ('jobs in manufacturing sector was in highest demand', 'fewest people interested', 'jobs in retail and healthcare shows', 'job were 2 millions', 'people's'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, and sentences often lack clear subject-verb agreement. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader.

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