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 illusatrates provide information about the amount of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.
Overall,retail had the highest number of jobs in for sector throughout the period, while agriculture showed the lowest figure for most decade, except in 2000.
As can be seen, retail had the number of jobs increased sharply at around 15 millions in 2000. It then gradually grow just 16 millions. In contrast, healthcare reamined stable at 16 millions of people choossing it. In 1960, the figure of jobs for healthcare gradually highest from 2 to 12 millions.
In 1960, manufacture had the highest figure of jobs from 1960 to 2000. After that, it declined sharply at just 13 millions. However, agriculture had the lowest figure throughout the period 6 to 2 million from 1960 to 2020 respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response addresses the task only partially and falls short of the minimum word count requirement, with a length of 130 words excluding the copied rubric. While the introduction attempts to outline the graph, the key features and data comparisons are poorly managed and contain numerous inaccuracies regarding the visual data. For instance, the student incorrectly states that retail had the highest number of jobs throughout the period and that agriculture was highest in 2000, which contradicts the graph. The overview is weak and confused, failing to provide a clear summary of the overall trends. To reach a higher band, the response must meet the length requirement, accurately report and compare the main trends and data points from the chart, and provide a clear, factually correct overview.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some basic organisation with paragraphing attempted, but the overall progression lacks clarity and logical flow. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as the abrupt transitions using phrases like 'As can be seen' and 'In contrast', which do not properly link the contradictory or incorrect data points that follow. Referencing is occasionally confusing, making it difficult to follow the relationships between the different economic sectors across the decades. To improve, the student needs to ensure ideas are logically sequenced with appropriate and accurate cohesive ties, and that paragraph transitions guide the reader smoothly through the comparative analysis of the data.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task, with noticeable errors in word choice and spelling that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. There are spelling slips such as 'illusatrates' and awkward collocations like 'amount of jobs' instead of 'number of jobs'. Word formation errors also appear, such as 'choossing' and 'manufacture' used to represent the manufacturing sector. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are constrained by these inaccuracies. To achieve a higher band, the student must expand their lexical range, ensure accurate word forms and spelling, and use precise vocabulary suited to describing statistical data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The grammar demonstrates a very limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent errors in complex attempts. There are recurrent mistakes in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, such as 'retail had the number of jobs increased sharply' and 'reamined stable at 16 millions of people choossing it'. Punctuation and article usage are also inconsistent throughout the text. These frequent errors can cause strain and confusion for the reader. To progress, the writer needs to increase sentence variety, improve control over basic and complex grammatical forms, and eliminate frequent errors in verb patterns and pluralisation.
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