Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-11

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 4.0)

The graph compares the number of jobs in four different sector of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Overall,the there are two sector which have showed a positive growth in terms of number of jobs but two sector have also showed a decline.The demand for Retail and health care increased over time and this two sector account for highest number of jo

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and gives a relevant overview: retail and healthcare rise, while manufacturing and agriculture decline overall. However, it is far too incomplete to summarise the main features adequately. It ends mid-sentence at “highest number of jo” and provides no supporting figures, comparisons between sectors, or account of key changes such as manufacturing peaking in 1980 or healthcare catching up with retail by 2020. The required minimum of 150 words is not met; the response contains 55 words, with 10 words copied from the prompt excluded. To improve, complete the summary and select several accurate figures and turning points to support the overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence introduces the graph, followed by an overview beginning with “Overall”. The contrast between sectors that grew and those that declined gives the reader a simple organising idea. However, the response stops before developing this structure, so there is no progression into detailed comparisons or a concluding summary. The unfinished final phrase, “highest number of jo”, also leaves the relationship between the sectors unclear. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overview and key details, and connect comparisons explicitly—for example, explain how retail and healthcare changed relative to manufacturing over the period.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “sector”, “number of jobs”, “positive growth”, “decline”, and “increased over time”. These choices make the general topic and direction of change understandable. However, the range is narrow, and several phrases are imprecise or awkward: “positive growth” could be expressed more naturally as “an increase in employment”, while “this two sector” does not clearly refer to the two sectors. The final word is cut off, further limiting clarity. Use precise terms for trends and comparisons, such as “rose steadily”, “fell”, “peaked”, and “overtook”, and name the sectors consistently rather than relying on vague references.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both a simple introductory sentence and a more complex overview using “but”, which shows some ability to link clauses. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. In “four different sector”, the plural noun ending is missing; “Overall,the there are” contains faulty punctuation and an unnecessary word; and “two sector which have showed” has agreement and verb-form problems. The phrase “this two sector account” also has a demonstrative and agreement error. The final sentence is incomplete, so its structure cannot be assessed fully. Practise accurate plural forms, subject–verb agreement, and past-tense reporting, then proofread punctuation and ensure every sentence is complete.

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