Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 different kinds of job in various sector of the economy in the us from 1960 to 2020.
overall,it can be seen that figure for healthcare and retail increased over the period of time.whereas,value for manufacturing fell over the period of time.
looking at the details,healthcare stood at nearly 5 in 1960.it then increased gradually to 5 during the same time period.after that figure rose to 15 during the end of the year.
meanwhile,it is followed by retail.it started at 5 and increased to 15 by the end of the period.
turning to manufacturing,it showed an downward trend.the graph is at 20 by 1980 and fell sharply to 13 by the end of the period.
lastly,graph for agricultural activities showed fluctuation.it stood at 6 in 1960 moreover,is is 2 by the end of the year.
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 response covers the main features of the graph, identifying key trends such as the upward movement in healthcare and retail, and the downward trend in manufacturing. However, there are several data inaccuracies and contradictions when compared to the visual source. For example, the student states that healthcare 'increased gradually to 5 during the same time period' after starting at 5, which contradicts the graph showing a rise from 2 to 16. Furthermore, manufacturing is stated to be 'at 20 by 1980' (which is correct) but then the description of trends becomes imprecise. Additionally, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 140 words. Consequently, Task Achievement is penalised for length and factual inaccuracies, placing it in Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response attempts a basic structure with an introduction, an overall statement, and body paragraphs. However, paragraphing is severely disrupted by poor formatting, with sentences clumped together incorrectly and a lack of capitalization at the beginning of sentences (e.g., 'overall,it can be seen...'). Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate, such as 'meanwhile,it is followed by retail'. Progression is difficult to follow due to disjointed sentences and weak logical links between data points. While an overall trend is provided, the mechanical errors in referencing and lack of clear paragraph structure restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying on phrases like 'increased over the period of time', 'fell over the period of time', and 'stood at'. There are limited attempts at less common lexical items, but word choices are sometimes imprecise or inappropriate, such as 'kinds of job in various sector' (should be 'sectors') and 'graph for agricultural activities showed fluctuation' when the data actually shows a continuous decline from 6 to 2. Spelling and word formation are generally acceptable, but the vocabulary range is restricted and adequate only for simple reporting, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The grammatical range is quite limited. The writer relies heavily on simple sentences and basic subject-verb structures (e.g., 'it started at 5 and increased to 15'). There are constant punctuation and capitalization errors throughout the text, such as missing capital letters at the start of sentences ('overall,it', 'healthcare stood', 'meanwhile,it', 'lastly,graph') and missing spaces after commas. While there are a few correct complex structures, errors occur frequently across the text, occasionally causing difficulty for the reader. This performance aligns with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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