Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-08

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)

This line graph dipict the information about different numbers of jobs in four areas of the economy of US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, Retail and Health care showing the upward trends in the given period. However, Manufacturing and Agriculture continuously decreasing in throughtout the period.

Starting with the trending category of Retail, in 2016 started from approximatly 5% and gradualy reached about at 15% in 2020, while Healthcare started roughly at 0% in 1060 and recorded the same figure of Retail, that is accounterd for 15%.

Turning back to the remaining categories, Manufacting started nearly from 15% in 1969 and recorded significantly rise at 20% then faced slighly decrease and eventually at 13%. However, Agriculture started just over from 5% and experienced a steady decline nearly at 0% which is the lowest figure is being recorded in all ovdr the given time period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the broad contrast between rising employment in retail and healthcare and falling employment in agriculture, and you include several figures. However, the overview is inaccurate because manufacturing does not decline throughout: it rises from about 15 million to 20 million by 1980 before falling. Several details also misreport the chart: the years are given as 2016, 1060 and 1969, and the figures are described as percentages rather than jobs in millions. Retail begins at about 6 million, not 5, while healthcare begins at about 2 million, not zero. The response is also six words below the required minimum. To improve, report the main trends accurately and compare the sectors using the correct units and years, with a fuller account of the key changes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping the sectors. Phrases such as “Overall,” “Starting with,” and “Turning back” help signal movement between points. However, progression is weakened by inaccurate or confusing time references, and the overview’s claim that manufacturing continually decreases conflicts with the later description of its rise to a peak. Some linking phrases feel formulaic, while the final sentence combines the agriculture trend and its lowest position awkwardly. Organise the details in a clear chronological or sector-by-sector sequence, and ensure the overview agrees with the supporting figures. More precise referencing would make the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “upward trends,” “gradualy reached,” “steady decline,” and “significantly rise.” This shows an attempt to vary language rather than repeat basic verbs. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make the report less clear, such as “dipict,” “Manufacting,” “throughtout,” and “accounterd.” The repeated use of “started” and “recorded” also limits precision. In addition, “5%” and “15%” are inappropriate because the chart measures jobs in millions, not percentages. Build a reliable set of trend expressions and check spelling, collocation, and units before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to use both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, for example, “Overall, Retail and Health care showing the upward trends…” and the sentence beginning “Starting with the trending category of Retail…”. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to interpret. The opening uses “dipict” without a correctly formed verb, and “Retail and Health care showing” lacks a finite verb. The phrase “in 2016 started” has an unclear subject and tense, while “which is the lowest figure is being recorded” contains an awkward, faulty clause structure. Practise forming complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and use past-tense forms consistently when describing the historical data.

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.