Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 given line graph depicts the number of people employed in four parts of the economy in us by 1960 and 2020.

It can be clearly seen from the given information, that is number of jobs in manufacturing were recorded at 15 millions in 1960 and the figure climbed and reached at 20 million in 1980. following this, the figure declined sharply around 14 million in 2020. In contrast, in 1960 healthcare can be observed at approximately 6 millions, and then the figure decreased gradually around 3 million in 1960. from 1960 figure remained the same until 2020.

Regarding the remaining information, the number of jobs in retail was 6 millions in 1960. and it rose sharply and reached 15 millions in 2000. after the figure remained stable until 2020. which was the highest figure. Turning to agriculture, there are sudden increament in 1980 from 6 millions to recorded at 15 millions in 2020.

overall, two out of given four sectors. retail and healthcare had an similar upward upward trend. where agriculture had the least sector in job.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response attempts to describe all four sectors and includes some relevant figures, such as manufacturing rising from 15 million to 20 million before falling, and retail increasing to 15 million by 2000. However, several central details are seriously misreported: healthcare starts at about 2 million, not 6 million, and rises to 16 million rather than declining; agriculture falls from 6 million to 2 million, not rising to 15 million. The overview is also unclear and does not accurately summarise the main patterns or identify that healthcare and retail finish joint highest. These substantial inaccuracies mean the graph is only partially addressed. Check each series against the chart, then give a concise overview of the contrasting trends before selecting supporting figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an opening statement to descriptions of sectors and a final overview. Linking expressions such as “In contrast,” “Regarding the remaining information,” and “Turning to agriculture” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is weakened by inaccurate or confusing references, particularly the healthcare account, which says the figure falls and then remains unchanged without a clear time sequence. Several sentences are fragmented or joined awkwardly, for example, “after the figure remained stable until 2020. which was the highest figure.” The final overview also appears after the details and repeats an unclear comparison. Grouping the trends more logically and using complete, clearly connected sentences would improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-relevant vocabulary, including “climbed,” “declined,” “remained stable,” and “upward trend,” so the reader can recognise that it is describing changes over time. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “parts of the economy,” “reached at,” “sudden increament,” and “least sector in job.” Repetition of “figure” and “number of jobs” also makes the account less precise. Spelling and form errors, including “increament,” are noticeable. Build a more reliable set of trend terms and use them accurately—for example, “employment in agriculture fell” or “healthcare employment rose steadily”—and check spelling and natural phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is an attempt to use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “following this” and “where.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence boundaries, tense, agreement, articles, and plurals frequently make the account difficult to follow. Examples include “the figure declined sharply around 14 million,” “in 1960 healthcare … and then the figure decreased … around 3 million in 1960,” and the fragment “which was the highest figure.” Capitalisation after full stops is also inconsistent, as in “following” and “from.” Use complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, keep the time references consistent, and check singular/plural forms such as “15 million” rather than “15 millions.”

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