Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22

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 graph illustrates the number of employment in four sector of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall, the highest number of employment rate is seen in manufacturing sector whereas agriculture sector was the least. Moreover, manufacturing and agriculture sector was seen in decline position while retail and healthcare sector was seen in upward position.

On the closes, observation it can be seen that in 1960 manufacturing sector was 15 million job rate is seen and in 1980 it was gradually increases to 20 million employment rate and then significantly decreases to 16 million in 2000 and after that it decreases to 14 million job rate.Furthermore, in retail it was accounted for 5 million employment rate had been seen in 1960 and then consisitute to 10 million jobs in 1980. Then it rapidly increases to 15 million job rate in 2000 and remained constant in 2020.

In contrast, Agriculture sector represented about 5 million employment rate in 1960 and gradually decreases over the period and levelled off to 4 million in 2000 and then gradually decreases to 2 million rate in this employment. In healthcare intially it was seen 2 million job rate and suddenly grows upto 5 milion and rapidly increases to 15 million jobs in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student attempts to cover all parts of the prompt by describing the trends and key figures for all four sectors. An overview is provided, noting that manufacturing and agriculture declined while retail and healthcare grew. However, there are numerous inaccuracies in the specific data reported. For instance, the student states that manufacturing decreased to '14 million' in 2020 when the graph shows approximately 13 million, and that retail 'remained constant in 2020' after being 15 million in 2000 (the graph shows it rising to 16 million). Additionally, some figures are awkwardly expressed, such as '5 million employment rate had been seen'. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of data precision and some confused reporting prevent this from reaching a higher band. This performance best reflects Band 5.5, rounded to 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is structured into four paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the different sectors. However, paragraphing and cohesive links are poorly handled. The phrase 'On the closes, observation it can be seen' contains a punctuation error and awkward phrasing. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately (e.g., 'Furthermore, in retail it was accounted for...'). The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, especially in the third and fourth paragraphs where sentences run together without clear logical transitions. Although an overall structure is discernible, the faulty referencing and mechanical cohesion place this firmly at Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The lexical range is limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on the words 'employment rate', 'sector', and basic verbs like 'increases' and 'decreases'. There are also several word-form and collocation errors, such as 'number of employment', 'four sector', 'decline position', 'upward position', and 'consisitute to 10 million'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are largely inaccurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey a basic understanding of the chart, the persistent errors in word choice and morphology impede fluent reading. This aligns well with the Band 5 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many complex attempts are flawed by grammatical errors. Examples include tense inconsistencies and awkward phrasing such as 'manufacturing sector was 15 million job rate is seen' and 'in healthcare intially it was seen 2 million job rate and suddenly grows upto 5 milion'. Punctuation errors are also present, such as unnecessary commas ('On the closes, observation'). Errors are frequent throughout the text, often causing difficulty for the reader and restricting the number of error-free sentences. This performance corresponds to a Band 5.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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