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)

The line graph illustrates the number of jobs in millions in Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture and Healthcare sectors of the economy in the US from 1960 to 2020.

Overall, there was a highest number of jobs in million in manufacturing sectors and lowest was Agriculture throughout the period. Retail and Healthcare sectors followed upward trend.

Between 1960 and 1980, there was a increased from 15 millions to 20 millions in Manufacturing sectors. After 1980, it was fell from around above 16 millions to around 14.5 million in 2000 and 2020, Respectively. The figure was decreased from above 6 millions, 4 millions, 3.5 millions and 3 million from 1960 to 2020, in Agriculture sectors.

From 1960 to 1980, and 1980 to 2000, the number of jobs in Retail sectors more then 5 millions of jobs and 4 millions of jobs, Respectively. In contrast, at the end of period, both figure were place at same numbers and highest number of jobs in millions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the four sectors and give a broad overview that manufacturing was highest and agriculture lowest, while retail and healthcare rose. However, the overview is not fully accurate: manufacturing was not highest throughout, since by 2020 retail and healthcare had both reached about 16 million, above manufacturing at roughly 13 million. The final comparison is also unclear, and the healthcare trend is not described in the detail needed to represent a major feature. Some figures are misreported, particularly agriculture, which fell from about 6 million to 2 million, rather than the sequence given. To strengthen the response, select the key turning points and end-of-period rankings, and report the figures consistently and accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping manufacturing with agriculture and then retail. This gives the reader some organisation, and time markers such as “Between 1960 and 1980” help establish chronology. However, progression is weakened by unclear references and incomplete comparisons. For example, “both figure” does not clearly identify which sectors or values are being compared, while “After 1980, it was fell” leaves the subject and sequence difficult to follow. The final paragraph also moves between periods without clearly stating the overall retail trend. Use one paragraph for the main rising sectors and another for the declining or changing sectors, with explicit subjects and comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “line graph,” “number of jobs,” “sectors,” and “period,” so the subject is generally clear. There is also some attempt to describe change through phrases such as “upward trend” and “decreased.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the data difficult to interpret. Examples include “more then 5 millions of jobs,” “highest number of jobs in millions,” and “figure were place at same numbers.” Use precise trend language and standard expressions for quantities, such as “increased by,” “stood at,” and “the figures were equal.” Check spelling and word forms, especially “then” versus “than,” and avoid repeating “number of jobs” where a clear pronoun or “employment” would work.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with time clauses, as in “Between 1960 and 1980…” and “From 1960 to 1980, and 1980 to 2000…”. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction frequently interrupt the message. For example, “there was a increased” should use a correctly formed verb phrase, and “After 1980, it was fell” combines incompatible verb forms. In “both figure were,” the noun and verb do not agree, while “there was a highest number” is not a grammatical construction. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build sentences around a clear subject and verb before adding comparisons or time clauses.

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