Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-06

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)

A glance at chart illustrate the information about the number of jobs in various sectors of the US economy from 1960 to 2020.

To commence with, manufacturing sector was the highest among other sectors, which was 15 millions in the year 1960. After two decades, it introduced new record with 20 million of the post, however; it decreased gradually and reached at 13 millions approximately.

around 6 millions of job opportunity was introduced in the retail and agriculture department. Retail sector was in demand and rose significantly and in 2020 it was 15 millions of jobs were available. In contrast, agriculture area was steadily decreased over the time with only 3 millions of availability of job, which was initial data of the healthcare sector in 1960. Healthcare sector was considerably increased and reached at 15 millions of vacancies.

It is apparent from the graph that economy of US in different sectors shows growth in retail and agriculture, while there was a significant decrease in other sectors after span of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response presents an overview with some main features, such as identifying the highest sector in 1960 and mentioning overall growth or decline. However, the selection of data is incomplete and contains inaccuracies. For instance, the text claims that retail and agriculture both started at around 6 million in 1960, whereas agriculture was actually at 6 million but retail was at 6 million as well, yet the descriptions misstate or confuse several data points across the timeline. Furthermore, the concluding overview inaccurately states that agriculture showed growth, when the visual data clearly depicts a steady decline from 6 million down to 2 million. Because the response only partially addresses the requirements of the task with underdeveloped ideas and noticeable factual inaccuracies regarding the visual data, it sits firmly at this band level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text demonstrates some organisation with an attempt at an introduction, body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion, but there is no clear overall progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as the incorrect use of transitional phrases ('To commence with', 'however;') and mechanical links like 'In contrast'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information lacks logical flow; for example, mixing retail and agriculture together in a single paragraph without a clear thematic link causes confusion. Referencing and pronouns are sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of data across the different decades. These mechanical and repetitive cohesive features restrict the response to this level.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for conveying basic information about the chart, but the range is limited and repetitive. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items, such as 'opportunity', 'department', and 'vacancies', but these are often accompanied by inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'agriculture area was steadily decreased' and 'introduced new record with 20 million of the post'. There are also minor awkward phrasings like 'a glance at chart illustrate'. While communication is generally maintained despite these errors, the lack of precision and limited lexical flexibility keep the response at this band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response features a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple and flawed complex forms. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing articles ('A glance at chart'), incorrect verb forms and passive/active confusion ('chart illustrate', 'sector was steadily decreased', '15 millions of jobs were available'), and poor prepositional use ('reached at'). Punctuation errors are also present, such as the incorrect semicolon usage in 'however; it decreased'. These frequent grammatical errors cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect the limitations typical of this band level.

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.