Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17

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 line graph illustarte the numbers of jobs in four sectors of the economy in US between 1960 to 2020.

Overall, It is clear that number of jobs in manufacturing and retail sector showed an overall higher trend during 1960 to 2020, but the manufacturing jobs are sligtly declined in 2020. While jobs in agriculture and healthcare sector are overall low in 1960 to 2020, but

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the chart’s subject and attempts an overview, noting that manufacturing and retail generally increased while agriculture and healthcare were lower. However, the overview is incomplete and partly inaccurate: manufacturing rose to a peak in 1980 before declining, while healthcare increased substantially and reached about 16 million by 2020, matching retail. The final sentence stops at “but,” so the comparison is unfinished, and no specific figures or detailed trends are reported. The response also contains only 57 words, below the required 150; this leaves the task minimally addressed and prevents adequate selection and reporting of the main features. Include a complete overview and compare the key changes with supporting data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, with an opening sentence followed by a separate overview paragraph. The use of “Overall” signals the purpose of the second paragraph, and “While” begins a contrast. However, the response ends mid-sentence after “but,” leaving the contrast unresolved and disrupting the progression of ideas. There is no body paragraph to develop the trends or arrange comparisons, so the reader cannot follow a complete account of the graph. Build a clear sequence: introduction, overview, then one or two paragraphs grouping related sectors. Use linking words only where the relationship between the ideas is completed and clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses relevant basic vocabulary, including “line graph,” “sectors,” “overall,” and “trend,” so its general topic is understandable. However, the range is narrow and some word choices or forms are inaccurate: “numbers of jobs” is less suitable than “number of jobs,” and “higher trend” does not clearly describe an increase in employment. “Overall low” is also vague, particularly because healthcare rises markedly over the period. Spelling errors such as “illustarte” and “sligtly” further reduce accuracy. Use precise trend language such as “rose,” “declined,” “remained stable,” and “reached,” and distinguish between a sector’s employment level and its direction of change.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a complex overview sentence and uses a contrast clause, but grammatical control is limited. In “The line graph illustarte the numbers,” the subject–verb agreement is incorrect, and “between 1960 to 2020” uses an incorrect preposition pattern. The sentence beginning “Overall, It is clear that number…” has article and capitalization problems, while “manufacturing jobs are slightly declined” combines an unsuitable verb form with the present tense. The final “While” clause is incomplete and leaves the sentence unfinished. These errors make parts of the short response awkward, although its general meaning remains recoverable. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and complete sentences, including clauses introduced by “while” or “but.”

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.