Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 graph illustrates about number of jobs in millions on four different sections (manufacturing , retail , agriculture , and healthcare) of the United states of america economy between 1960 to 2020.

Overall , On the first half the manufacturing and Agriculture sector was showing rapidly growth but later then it falls down. Moreover the retail and healthcare sector both are opposite.

Firstly , in the year 1960 the manufacturing sector at on peak for a movement , they provide around 15 million jobs. later that in this sector was provide slightly more jobs, in 1980 they provide around 20 million jobs. But , after this year they started slightly decreasing , in the year 2000 , they provide around 17 milliom jobs and in 2020 they rpovide 14 million jobs. Now Turning to Agriculture sector, they follow same trend. in 1960 , they provide only 6 million jobs Which was the lowest amount that compared to others. later that the graph started deceasing. in 1980 to 2000 the graph stayed constant, around 3 million jobs and in 2020 , they provide only 2 million jobs.Which was the lowest amount.

On the other hand the Retail sector and healthcare sector showing opposite trend. in 1960 , the retail sector provide 6 million jobs after that they provided more jobs rapidly. in 1980 , they provide around 10 million jobs and the number was increasing. in 2000 , the number was around 15 million and in 2020 the number was slightly constant , around 16 million jobs respectively. in addition , the healthcare sector follows the same trend , in 1960 , they provide aorund 3 million jobs which was the lowest amount , but later thath they aslo started increasing. in 1980 , they provide 5 million jobs , adn in 2000 , they took a huge leap , arund 11 million jobs and finally in 2020 they reached around 16 million number.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student covers all four sectors mentioned in the graph and attempts to make comparisons over the period from 1960 to 2020. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, stating that manufacturing and agriculture experienced growth initially before falling, while retail and healthcare showed opposite trends. However, the overview is imprecise, and the claim that manufacturing grew rapidly in the first half is factually inaccurate according to the graph, as manufacturing declined after 1980. There are several inaccuracies in reporting specific data points, such as stating that healthcare began at 3 million jobs in 1960 when the chart shows it at 2 million, and claiming retail was 'slightly constant' in 2020 at 16 million. Due to these data inaccuracies and a slightly flawed overview, the response earns a band score of 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to the respective sectors. However, the logical progression is hindered by frequent mechanical and repetitive cohesive devices, such as 'later that', 'in this sector was provide', and 'Now Turning to'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs feels disjointed due to run-on structures and incorrect punctuation spacing, such as spaces before commas and periods. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the overall flow lacks the smooth progression expected at higher bands. The arrangement is coherent overall, justifying a band score of 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to describe basic trends and numbers, utilizing terms such as 'sector', 'trend', 'constant', and 'decreasing'. However, there is a lack of flexibility, and precision is frequently compromised by awkward word choices and frequent spelling and word-form errors, such as 'milliom', 'rpovide', and 'deceasing'. The student attempts less common vocabulary, but these attempts are often inaccurate or unidiomatic. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the general message, the frequent lexical errors restrict the score to a band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The text contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response, particularly involving tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and verb forms (e.g., 'the manufacturing sector at on peak', 'they provide around 15 million jobs' used repetitively instead of past tense 'provided', and 'sector ... showing opposite trend'). Punctuation is also problematic, with spaces regularly placed before commas and periods. These errors occur frequently and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar at a band 5.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.