Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19

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 illustration provides information about the total number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the United States between 1960 and 2020. Overall in 1980, Manufacturing had the highest number of jobs and Agriculture jobs was on the lowest ratio.

It is quite evident from the line graph that at the start of 1960, the Manufacturing had the highest number of jobs but in 2020 it gradually decreased from 15 millions to 13 millions. Healthcare had the lowest proportion of jobs that were 2 million in 1960 and it dramatically increased in 2020 that were 16 million.

Meanwhile, in 2000, Reatil have 6 millions jobs and it also increased with pessage of time and in 2020 it could be clearly scene that had 16 million jobs. Agriculture had the second highest jobs same as retail in 1960 and that were 6 million jobs but it dramticllay decreased in 2020 and have the lowest job proportion of all time period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sectors and report several relevant figures, including manufacturing’s peak of 20 million in 1980 and healthcare’s rise from 2 million to 16 million. However, the overview is incomplete and partly inaccurate: it says agriculture was lowest in 1980, but does not summarise the broad shifts across the period or note that retail and healthcare both reached about 16 million in 2020. There is also a significant data error: retail had about 15 million jobs in 2000, not 6 million. The claim that agriculture and retail were equal in 1960 is accurate, but “second highest” overlooks healthcare’s lower figure. Select the key trends accurately and compare the sectors across the full period.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details, and uses linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile,” and “but.” However, the progression is not consistently clear: the overview focuses on 1980, while the following paragraphs jump between years and sectors without a systematic comparison. The final paragraph combines retail and agriculture, making the contrast harder to follow, and “it” in phrases such as “it also increased” has an unclear reference. Organise the details by trend—for example, rising sectors together and declining sectors together—and use clear references to each sector. This would make the information easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “increased,” “decreased,” “highest,” and “lowest,” so the main trends are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “lowest ratio,” “lowest proportion of jobs,” and “jobs of all time period.” Spelling errors—including “Reatil,” “pessage,” “scene,” and “dramticllay”—also reduce clarity and control. Prefer precise language for chart descriptions, such as “number of jobs,” “employment,” “rose,” and “fell,” and check spelling carefully. Avoid using “dramatically” unless the scale of change supports that emphasis.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. However, errors are frequent, particularly with articles, agreement, verb forms, and plural nouns. Examples include “the Manufacturing had,” “Agriculture jobs was,” “Retail have,” and “16 millions jobs.” The sentence “Healthcare had the lowest proportion of jobs that were 2 million” also has an unclear grammatical structure. Use consistent past-tense verbs for the historical data, write “million” without a plural ending after a number, and check subject–verb agreement. Shorter, accurately formed sentences would help you communicate the comparisons more reliably while you build control of complex structures.

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.