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 graph compared the data regarding the proportion of occupations in four sectors of the finance in the United States from 1960 and 2020.

Overall, initially the number of jobs in manufacturing sector was highest among these four sector which increased till the next two decade then it decreased drastically. However, the career opportunities in retail and agriculture were similar in the begining but later they shown contrast trends. While the proportion of healthcare job was the lowest; merely, it gradually rised throughout the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the main manufacturing pattern—rising to a peak before declining—and note that healthcare increases over time, so the response contains some relevant observations. However, it only minimally summarises the graph: it gives no figures, omits the key endpoint comparison that retail and healthcare both reach about 16 million jobs in 2020, and does not clearly report the contrasting paths of retail and agriculture. The description of healthcare as the lowest is true only at the start, not throughout the period, and “finance” misidentifies the sectors shown. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the main features and comparisons underdeveloped. Include a clear overview and support it with selected figures across the four years.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall shape: it introduces the graph and then gives an overview beginning with “Overall.” The use of “However” and “While” also signals some relationships between trends. At present, though, the ideas are compressed into one paragraph and several comparisons are difficult to follow, particularly “retail and agriculture were similar in the beginning but later they shown contrast trends.” The sequence does not guide the reader through the main changes or distinguish the four sectors clearly. Organise the report into an introduction, an overview, and one or two detail paragraphs, grouping related trends. Use linking expressions to show specific contrasts and changes over time, rather than relying on a few broad connectors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of task-related expressions, including “increased,” “decreased,” “contrast trends,” and “career opportunities,” and the general topic remains understandable. However, some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing a jobs graph: “proportion” suggests a share rather than a number, “sectors of the finance” mislabels the subject, and “career opportunities” does not precisely describe the number of jobs. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “begining” and “rised.” Use precise terms such as “number of jobs,” “employment,” and “sector,” and check spelling and collocations. Repeating accurate vocabulary is preferable to using a less suitable phrase.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You make an attempt to use complex sentence forms, especially with “However” and the “While” clause, and the main trend statements can generally be understood. Control is inconsistent, however. For example, “which increased till the next two decade” has an unclear reference and faulty number agreement, while “they shown contrast trends” uses an incorrect verb form. The opening also has an awkward time construction in “from 1960 and 2020,” and “the number of jobs in manufacturing sector was highest” needs more accurate article use. These errors make some relationships less clear. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and agreement, and build longer sentences around clear subjects and verbs; then check articles and singular/plural forms.

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