Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-03

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 4.0)

The graph illustrates information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

The graph mentiond the numbers between 0 to 25. It illustrates the main features like manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare.

Between 1960 and 2020, the economy of the jobs increases from 15 to 20 and then it decreases between 20 to 15 and then again decreses below to 15. The retail increases from 5 to 15. Agriculture was at 5, but with time and year, it stays between 5-0.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

This response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 72 words in total, with 19 words copied directly from the prompt. The content addresses the task only minimally. While it attempts to mention a few sectors like manufacturing, retail, and agriculture, the overview is extremely limited and misses major trends, such as the significant rise in healthcare jobs. Furthermore, the description of data points is confused and inaccurate, stating that the economy of the jobs increases and decreases without clearly reporting the actual figures or key comparative features from the graph. To improve, the response must be substantially longer, present a clear overview of the main trends, and accurately report key data with appropriate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response is organized into very brief, disjointed sentences and paragraphs that fail to establish a clear overall progression. There is an absence of logical linking devices between sentences, making the text feel fragmented. For instance, moving abruptly from mentioning the graph's axis to individual sectors without transitions disrupts the flow. Pronoun referencing and cohesive ties are inadequate to guide the reader through the data smoothly. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to group related information logically, use appropriate cohesive devices to connect ideas, and ensure that the structure of the essay clearly follows an introduction, overview, and detailed body paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms and direct lifting from the prompt. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'economy of the jobs' instead of employment figures or job numbers, and spelling errors like 'mentiond' and 'decreses'. The range of vocabulary is severely restricted, limiting the ability to discuss data trends with precision. To improve, the student should incorporate a wider variety of topic-specific vocabulary related to graphs, such as verbs and adjectives describing trends (e.g., 'fluctuate', 'decline', 'gradual increase'), and ensure accurate spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentence structures with frequent errors. There are issues with verb forms and tenses, such as mixing present and past time frames or using incorrect prepositions ('below to 15', 'between 5-0'). Additionally, punctuation and sentence boundary issues are present throughout the short text. When attempting more complex descriptive structures, the grammar becomes faulty and can cause difficulty for the reader. To progress, the writer should practice forming accurate simple and complex sentences, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage in data descriptions, and consistent past-tense control for historical data.

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