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 line graph shows number of jobs in the US from 1960 to 2020.
Overall, the graph shows number of jobs between 1960 and 2020 in four sectors such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and healthcare. Healthcare and retail sectors showed an upward trend throughout the period whereas manufacturing and agriculture descreased.
To commence with, 1960 healthcare jobs increased in the US sectors of the economy number of jobs increased by 3 millons jobs healthcare and in 1980 jobs increased up to 5 million. In 2000 healthcare jobs increased up to 11 millions, it is big diffrence in 2000. In 2020 jobs in healthcare sectors inclined up to 16 millions its big diffrence in 2020. Retail sector also showed an upward trend
In 1960 jobs grew and reached 10 millions in 1980. In 2000 jobs grew up to 5 millions and between the years 2000 and 2020 jobs increased minimally by one million.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main trends in the line graph, correctly identifying that healthcare and retail experienced upward trends while manufacturing and agriculture decreased. However, the response suffers from significant weaknesses in data reporting and task fulfillment. Several figures are inaccurate, confused, or missing, and the body paragraphs are disjointed and difficult to follow. For example, the description of healthcare in 1960 and 1980 is grammatically fractured ('in 1960 healthcare jobs increased in the US sectors of the economy number of jobs increased by 3 millons jobs healthcare'), and the retail data at the end is confusingly structured. Overall, the response meets the minimum word count but lacks the clear, well-developed reporting required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into brief paragraphs, including an introduction and a rudimentary overview. However, there is no clear logical progression or effective organizational structure. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, as seen in awkward transitional phrases like 'To commence with' which are followed by convoluted and fragmented sentences. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to connect the data points to the correct economic sectors. Paragraphing is present, but the internal cohesion within the body paragraphs is very weak, resulting in a disjointed reading experience that aligns with Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'jobs', 'increased', and 'sectors'. There are numerous spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'descreased', 'millons', 'diffrence', and 'inclined' (where 'increased' or 'climbed' was intended). The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'upward trend', but control is weak, and collocation errors are frequent. The lexical range is barely adequate to communicate the basic topic, placing it firmly in the Band 5 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, consisting mostly of simple and heavily flawed complex or compound attempts. There are frequent grammatical errors, run-on sentences, and severe punctuation issues throughout the text. For instance, sentences like 'In 2000 healthcare jobs increased up to 11 millions, it is big diffrence in 2000' demonstrate comma splices and structural instability. Errors frequently cause strain and confusion for the reader, matching the criteria for Band 4.5 to 5.0, with a rounded score of 5.0 reflecting occasional correct simple forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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