Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02

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)

Introduction

The line graph illustrates the number of jobs in millions in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 to 2020

OVERALL

The health care is most significant rise from 1 million to 15 million from 1960 to 2020

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

In 1960 the healthcare jobs were 1 million the number increase 5 million to 10 million and then 15 million from 1980 to 2020

In 1960 the agriculture job was 5 million up to 1980 it goes down to 1 million and then never rise to 2000

BODY PRAGRAPH 2

In retail jobs increase from 5 million to 15 million from 1960 to 2020 while manufacturing had the most jobs and it grows to 20 million 1980 but then falls down to 16 million in 2000 and then goes down to 12 million in 2020

CONCLUSION

So, the line graph shows the overall increase and decrease in jobs in different sectors

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the four sectors and report several broad trends, including healthcare’s strong rise and manufacturing’s peak followed by decline. However, some figures and comparisons do not match the graph: healthcare starts at about 2 million, not 1 million, and reaches about 16 million, not 15; agriculture falls from about 6 million to 3 million and then 2 million, rather than from 5 to 1. Retail rises from about 6 to 16 million, while manufacturing ends at about 13 million. The overview is limited and the conclusion adds little, so the main features are only partially covered. The response is also 145 words, below the 150-word minimum; the 11 words copied from the prompt were not counted. Include a clearer overview and accurate key comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, an overview, two body sections and a conclusion. Grouping agriculture and healthcare before retail and manufacturing gives the reader some organisation. However, the progression within the paragraphs is not always clear, and the headings do not replace well-connected prose. For example, “the number increase 5 million to 10 million and then 15 million” does not clearly link each figure to its year, while “and then never rise to 2000” is difficult to follow. The conclusion repeats the general idea of increases and decreases rather than synthesising the key trends. Use complete sentences, connect each figure to a date, and organise the sectors by contrasting trends.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic terms such as “jobs,” “sectors,” “increase,” “falls” and “overall,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the vocabulary range is limited and some word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, including “the healthcare is most significant rise” and “the agriculture job.” Repeated use of “goes down” and “increase” also makes the account less precise. Choose standard chart language and vary it appropriately: for example, describe a figure as “rose,” “declined,” “remained stable” or “reached a peak.” Take care to use sector names as labels rather than as people or individual jobs, and select verbs that accurately describe the direction and scale of each trend.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Most of the response relies on short, simple statements, with limited control of more developed sentence structures. Frequent errors affect clarity, as in “between 1960 to 2020,” “the number increase 5 million,” and “it goes down to 1 million and then never rise to 2000.” These examples show problems with prepositions, verb forms, articles and sentence construction. The phrase “it grows to 20 million 1980” also lacks a clear grammatical link between the figure and the year. Use past-tense verbs consistently for this historical period, and build sentences with clear subjects and time references—for example, “Manufacturing employment rose to 20 million in 1980 before declining.” Proofread for agreement and complete clauses.

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