Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-13

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)

This line chart gives information about number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US. There are many elements in this charts such as agriculture and healthcare.

Probing the details, I can say that the highest value is 20, which is indicated by manufacturing in 1980. Now, the second highest value is 17, which is indicated by

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies the chart’s subject, and the statement that manufacturing reaches the highest point of 20 million jobs in 1980 is accurate. However, the response stops mid-sentence after “the second highest value is 17,” so it does not complete a summary or provide an overview of the main trends. It also gives no meaningful comparisons across the four sectors and omits the major changes shown, such as growth in healthcare and retail and the decline in agriculture. The response is substantially below the required 150 words, with 48 words submitted; 12 words copied from the task prompt were excluded from that count. To improve, complete the report and select the key trends and comparisons rather than listing isolated figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to introduce the chart and then move to specific data, using “Probing the details” and “Now” to signal progression. However, the response is too short and incomplete to establish a clear overall organisation: there is no overview, no developed body paragraphs, and the final sentence breaks off after “indicated by”. The phrase “There are many elements in this charts” does not help organise the information or identify a meaningful feature. For a clearer progression, use an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and paragraphs grouping related sectors—for example, the rising sectors and those that declined. Connect comparisons explicitly and ensure each sentence is complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses relevant chart vocabulary, including “line chart,” “sectors,” “highest value,” and “manufacturing,” so the topic is generally clear. “Indicated by” is also an attempt to describe how a value relates to a sector, though it is repeated and less natural than “reached” or “stood at” for reporting figures. The range is very limited because the response ends after two data points and does not demonstrate vocabulary for trends or comparisons. “There are many elements” is vague and does not convey a useful feature of the graph. Build a more precise range with expressions such as “rose steadily,” “declined,” “overtook,” and “remained stable,” using them only where the data supports them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response shows control of some basic sentence patterns, including “This line chart gives information…” and “the highest value is 20.” However, the grammatical range is narrow, with mostly simple statements and no developed complex sentence structures. There are also errors in “the number of jobs” (the article is missing) and “in this charts” (the demonstrative and plural noun do not agree). The final sentence is incomplete: “the second highest value is 17, which is indicated by” has no completed clause or named sector. Use complete sentences and check articles and singular/plural agreement. Once the report is extended, practise combining accurate comparisons with clauses such as “while” or “whereas”.

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.