Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23
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 chart illustrates the number of jobs in millions of the economy in four sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020.
Overall, it is clear that Retail had the highest trend throughout the period. The most noticeable growth is in the healthcare sector it rose at the end of the period, while Agriculture remained lowest trend throughout the period.
In 1960, the manufacturing sector was having 15 million jobs and increased in numbers in 1980 by 20 million, but in 2020, it dipped in numbers nearly around 11 millions of jobs. In comparison of Retail and Healthcare, healthcare seems to be second-lowest trend, but by the end of period it increased rapidly by 15 million jobs, whereas in the field of Retail it was started by 5 millions of jobs, but at the end the figures was 15 million of jobs in the economy.
Turning to agriculture in 1980, it dipped down in numbers by 1 million whereas at the end it remains the lowest in figures by approximately 1.5 million jobs in the economy.
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 response covers all four economic sectors across the given timeframe, successfully highlighting key trends and making relevant comparisons. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data. For instance, the student states that Retail had the highest trend throughout the period, whereas Manufacturing actually started higher at 15 million in 1960 and peaked at 20 million in 1980 before declining. Additionally, some figures are misstated, such as Manufacturing dipping to 11 million in 2020 (the graph shows approximately 13 million) and Healthcare starting much lower than described. Despite these data errors, the overall picture of the trends is presented, placing the response in Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is arranged into four paragraphs, providing an introduction, an overall summary, and body paragraphs discussing specific sectors. However, the logical progression is sometimes hindered by unclear referencing and awkward transitional phrasing, such as 'In comparison of Retail and Healthcare'. Cohesive devices are used, but they are occasionally mechanical or inaccurate. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow of ideas within the body paragraphs lacks seamless connectivity. Overall, the organization is coherent enough to follow, but cohesion requires more precise linking and referencing to achieve a higher band.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms like 'sector', 'economy', 'trend', and 'figures'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'highest trend' instead of highest level or figure, and awkward phrasing like 'dipped in numbers nearly around'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control is insufficient for higher bands due to restricted flexibility and imprecise terminology when describing statistical movements.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though complex structures often contain errors. Examples include awkward verb tenses and structures such as 'the manufacturing sector was having 15 million jobs' and 'it was started by 5 millions of jobs'. While some sentences are clear, frequent grammatical errors—particularly regarding passive voice, active voice, and prepositions—cause occasional difficulty for the reader. Punctuation is generally functional, but control over grammar is inconsistent, supporting a Band 5.0 rating.
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