Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02

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 below depicts information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US from1960 to 2020.

Overall, according to the graph, it is clearly noticeable that, healthcare was lowest and manufacturing was highest in the given economic sectors. The job of healthcare is stadely increased while, agriculture was continuosly decresed.

In addition, The number of job in manufacturing which was started at 15 millions in 1960, then it was increased and reached 20 billions in 1980 and after that it fell down during the 2000 to 2020 and reached at 13 billions. Furthermore, The number of people who was doing their job in retail, which was started at 6 billions in 1960. It is continuosly rose and reached at around 15 billions.

According to the graph, the numbedrv of people who was doing their job in healthcare section. it had started at 3 billions after, it increased drametically and reached at approx 15 millions. At last, the agriculture which was started at 6 billions in 1960 then it was continuously fell down and reached at 3 billions in 2020.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the graph, presenting an overview and some key data points such as the trends for manufacturing and agriculture. However, the information provided contains several inaccuracies when checked against the visual data, particularly with units of measurement (confusing millions with billions, e.g., '20 billions' or '6 billions') and misreporting starting or ending points. The overview is overly simplistic, stating that healthcare was lowest and manufacturing highest, but missing a broader synthesis of overall trends. Ideas are limited and under-developed, and the misinterpretation of data restricts the clarity of the report, placing this response at the expected level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has some basic organisation, opening with an introduction and attempting to separate details into body paragraphs. However, there is no clear overall progression or logical sequencing of information, making the structure feel disjointed. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and repetitively, with frequent reliance on transition words like 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'At last' to link sentences. Paragraphing is poorly handled, as single sentences or short blocks are separated without a clear thematic purpose. Referencing is also weak at times, which disrupts the flow of the text and requires the reader to work harder to follow the intended comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task, with frequent misuse of terms and incorrect word forms. The most prominent lexical error is the misuse of 'billions' instead of 'millions' throughout the essay (e.g., '15 millions in 1960' followed by '20 billions in 1980'). There are also spelling errors such as 'stadely' (steadily), 'continuosly' (continuously), 'decresed' (decreased), and 'drametically' (dramatically). While the student attempts some less common vocabulary related to trends, the inaccurate word choice and mechanical repetition of basic reporting verbs restrict the range and occasionally cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple or awkwardly constructed complex sentences that are frequently faulty. There are persistent errors in verb forms, tenses, and relative clauses, such as 'which was started at', 'who was doing their job', and 'the agriculture which was started'. Prepositional usage and article selection are also weak, with phrases like 'in healthcare section' and missing determiners. Frequent grammatical errors cause difficulty and strain for the reader, and punctuation is occasionally misused, preventing the appearance of error-free complex structures.

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