Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01
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 number of jobs in four secotrs that affects the economy. Manufacturing is one of the highes jobs recorded and suggests a better economy. By looking at the other jobs they are all in sequence with each other but the manufacturing jobs record to be the highest.
Agriculture appears to be very low and this shows a drop in economy from 1960 to 2020. Retail and healthcare has shown a rise in the economy and proves more job opportunities in this sector.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
You identify broad patterns: manufacturing is described as high, agriculture as low, and retail and healthcare as rising. However, the response only minimally summarises the graph and includes unsupported claims that these trends “show” or “prove” changes in the economy. It also misstates the key comparison: manufacturing was highest in 1960 and 1980, but by 2020 retail and healthcare had both reached about 16 million jobs, above manufacturing at about 13 million. No figures or clear overview of the changing rankings are provided. The response is also below the required 150 words. To improve, report the main trends accurately, include selected figures, and avoid inferring economic effects that the graph does not show.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has a basic sequence, moving from manufacturing to agriculture and then to retail and healthcare, and the two short paragraphs give it some organisation. However, there is no clear overall progression from an introduction to an overview and then supporting details. Phrases such as “By looking at the other jobs” and “they are all in sequence with each other” do not make the relationships between sectors clear, while repeated references to the economy do not help connect the data. Use a more purposeful structure: introduce what the graph measures, summarise the main contrasts, and then compare the sectors with figures. Clear links such as “whereas” and “by contrast” would make comparisons easier to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate a few general observations, using terms such as “rise,” “drop,” “highest,” and “low.” However, the range is limited and some choices are imprecise or repetitive. “Jobs recorded” is not a natural way to describe the figures, and “in sequence with each other” does not clearly express a trend or comparison. The spelling error “secotrs” also reduces accuracy. In addition, “proves more job opportunities” overstates what the graph can establish. Aim for precise data-reporting language, such as “employment,” “increased steadily,” “declined,” and “stood at,” and use neutral descriptions rather than claims about causes or effects.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You use mostly short, simple sentences, and the main message is generally understandable. There are also attempts to combine ideas, for example, “Agriculture appears to be very low and this shows a drop in economy.” However, the range of sentence structures is narrow, and agreement errors occur in “Retail and healthcare has shown a rise,” where a plural subject requires “have.” The opening fragment, “The number of jobs in four secotrs that affects the economy,” is not a complete sentence, and “Manufacturing is one of the highes jobs recorded” has an unclear grammatical construction. Practise complete sentences with accurate subject–verb agreement, and vary sentence patterns to compare trends across years.
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