Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-30

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 line chart illustrates the data about number of jobs in four sectors of the economy; manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare in the US from 1960 to 2020. Overall, it can be seen that in the start, manufacturing sector recorded the highest figures for jobs as compared to other three but with the passage of time it showed sudden decline. Whereas in 1960, healthcare accounted the lowest figures for jobs, however this sector showed sudden rise in its number. In 1960, manufacturing area gave the higher number of jobs to people,15 millions. while, retail and agriculture sector was at the second number and had about 7 millions of jobs. Meanwhile, healthcare recorded the lowest figures for rjobs around 3 millions. By 2020, retail and healthcare

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the chart’s subject and give a relevant overview: manufacturing starts highest, while healthcare starts lowest and rises. You also report several 1960 figures, broadly matching the graph, although the chart shows about 6 million each for retail and agriculture, rather than 7 million. However, the response ends mid-sentence at “By 2020, retail and healthcare,” so it does not report the later figures or complete the comparison. Important trends are therefore missing, including manufacturing’s peak and subsequent fall, retail’s steady growth, and agriculture’s decline. The response is also 34 words below the required minimum, which contributes to its limited coverage. Develop the overview and describe the main changes across the full period with accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an introduction is followed by an overview and a paragraph about 1960, with time markers such as “In 1960” and “By 2020.” This gives the reader some sense of sequence. However, the final paragraph stops after “By 2020, retail and healthcare,” leaving the comparison unfinished and preventing a clear progression through the period. Linking words are sometimes awkward or repetitive, as in “Whereas” followed by “however,” and “while” is used after a full stop. Paragraphing is also uneven, with large gaps and no completed account of the later years. Use a clear sequence—overview, early figures, then later trends—and connect comparisons with accurate, purposeful transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of chart vocabulary, including “line chart,” “sector,” “recorded,” “figures,” and “decline,” so the topic is generally clear. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “the data about number of jobs” and “manufacturing area gave the higher number of jobs” do not express the information idiomatically. “Sudden decline” and “sudden rise” also overstate trends that occur gradually across the period. There is a spelling slip in “rjobs,” and “at the second number” is an unclear way to describe equal values. Aim for precise collocations such as “the number of jobs in,” “employed the most people,” and “rose steadily,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a contrast with “Whereas” and a time clause beginning “By 2020.” The main message is usually understandable, but grammatical control is inconsistent. For example, “healthcare accounted the lowest figures” is missing a required preposition, and “retail and agriculture sector was” has problems with both number agreement and the article. The sentence beginning “Whereas in 1960” is not properly joined to the following clause, while “while” after a full stop creates a fragment. Capitalisation and punctuation are also uneven, as in “15 millions. while”. Practise complete sentence structures, subject–verb agreement, articles, and joining contrast clauses correctly; these changes would make your comparisons clearer.

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