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 illustrates that opportunities in four sectors (manufacturing, retail, agricultural and healthcare) of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, the number of jobs in healthcare increased steadily which start from 2.5 million jobs in 1960 and reached to 15 million in 2020, while opportunities in agriculture field continuously decreased.

In manufacturing sector, it jumped from 15 million to 20 million from 1960 to 1980, but in 1980 it droped and reach to 15.2 million in 2000 and after that it fell sharply to 1 million in 2020. In agriculture sector, it dropped from 5.1 million to 3 million from 1960 to 1980 respectively, but in 1980 it slumped from 3 million to 2 million from 1980 to 2020.

The opportunities in healthcare and retail sectors were highest during the year 1960 to 2020. In healthcare, it increasing from 2 million in 1960 to 15.1 million in 2020 which is increased gradually. In retail, it increases steadily from 5.1 million in 1960 to 15 million in 2000 after that it grew from 15 to 15.1 in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main features of the graph, including an overview and data points for the four sectors. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the reporting of figures when compared against the visual data. For example, the student states that manufacturing fell sharply to 1 million in 2020, whereas the chart shows approximately 13 million. Furthermore, the introductory sentence is grammatically incomplete ('The line graph illustrates that opportunities...'), failing to complete the clause properly. While an overview is attempted, the inclusion of incorrect numerical data and inaccurate trends across the body paragraphs prevents the response from achieving a higher band. It satisfies the basic requirements of summarising information and making comparisons, but with notable data misinterpretations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'while', 'but', and 'after that'. However, referencing and progression are sometimes confusing or faulty. For instance, sentences often begin with pronouns or vague subjects like 'in manufacturing sector, it jumped...' where 'it' lacks a clear, precise antecedent or causes grammatical awkwardness. Paragraphing structure is present, but internal logical progression suffers from repetitive phrasing and disjointed transitions between sentences, placing it firmly in Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a limited range of vocabulary adequate for the task, using terms related to economic sectors and trends such as 'opportunities', 'sector', 'increased steadily', 'continuously decreased', and 'fell sharply'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'opportunities in agriculture field' instead of 'employment in the agricultural sector', and incorrect prepositions or verb forms like 'start from' and 'droped'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with frequent inaccuracy, and spelling errors ('droped') are present, restricting the lexical score to a Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writing displays a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures frequently contain errors. For example, the opening sentence fails to form a complete noun clause after 'illustrates that'. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout, including tense inconsistencies, missing auxiliary verbs, and incorrect verb formations (e.g., 'it increasing from', 'it increases steadily... after that it grew'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent grammatical slips in verb agreement and clause structures cause some difficulty for the reader.

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