Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph compares how four sectors (Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare) in the US provides employment to its citizens from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, agriculture has the lowest number of jobs whereas manufacturing has recorded the highest employment. Retail and Agriculture have been increased continously throughout the period, and surpassed manufacturing in the end of period.

Manufacturing accounted for 15 millions of jobs in 1960, which was approximately higher by 9 millions than that of agriculture, and retail (6 millions). The number of people working in manufacturing peaked at 20 millions in 1980 after which it continued to declined throughout the period, falling below its initial numbers (15 millions) in 2020; in contrast, jobs in agriculture sector decreased steadily, in 2020,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at only 121 words, which significantly limits the development of the task. While there is an attempt to provide an overview and mention some key data points from the chart, the information presented contains inaccuracies and confusion regarding the trends. For instance, the overview incorrectly states that retail and agriculture both increased continuously and surpassed manufacturing, whereas agriculture clearly declined significantly. Furthermore, the response cuts off mid-sentence, leaving the description incomplete. To achieve a higher band, the response must meet the word count requirement, present a fully accurate overview without contradictions, and provide a complete, well-developed summary of all four economic sectors with correct data references.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay displays some organizational structure with an introductory sentence and a clear attempt at an overall summary paragraph, followed by a body paragraph. However, the overall progression is disrupted by inaccurate summaries and an abrupt ending. Cohesive devices are attempted, such as 'Overall', 'while', and 'in contrast', but their use is sometimes mechanical or applied to contradictory information, such as grouping retail and agriculture together regarding growth trends. Paragraphing is initiated, but the unfinished nature of the text prevents a fully coherent and logical flow. To improve cohesion, ideas must be logically sequenced throughout, and referencing must accurately reflect the visual data to ensure a smooth transition of ideas between sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic description, featuring standard economic sectors and terms such as 'employment', 'sectors', and 'peaked'. However, there are notable lexical and collocational inaccuracies, such as writing 'jobs in agriculture sector decreased steadily' (missing an article) and using 'millions of jobs' where standard phrasing is 'million jobs'. Word choice errors also lead to factual contradictions, as seen in the grouping of retail and agriculture. To reach a higher band, you need to use a wider range of vocabulary more precisely, avoiding awkward phrasing and ensuring correct word forms and collocations, such as using 'million' correctly without the plural 's' when preceded by a number.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses ('which was approximately higher') and introductory phrases. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that restrict the score. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('four sectors... provides' instead of 'provide'), tense inconsistencies ('have been increased continously' instead of 'increased continuously'), and punctuation or sentence completion failures, notably the fragment at the very end ('in 2020,'). To improve, you need to ensure greater accuracy in verb tenses, passive/active voice usage, and sentence completion. Eliminating frequent structural errors and avoiding trailing incomplete sentences will allow for better control over complex grammatical forms.

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.