Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below gives information about the five small companies in Britain that came top in a survey of staff conducted by a national newspaper to find out which companies are the best to work for.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

THE FIVE BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Student answer (Band 7.5)

The table provides information about the five highest-rated small companies to work for in Britain, based on a survey of their employees. It compares staff numbers, gender ratios, age groups, staff turnover and the percentage of employees in the high-income bracket.

Overall, the fifth-ranked company had by far the largest number of employees and the highest staff turnover. In contrast, the first company had the lowest turnover. The third company had the highest proportion of highly paid employees, while the fourth had the lowest.

The number of staff varied considerably among the five companies. The fifth company employed 190 people, compared with 79 in the second company, 76 in the fourth and 72 in the third. The first company had the fewest employees, at just 56.

Regarding gender, women made up the majority of employees in the first, second and fourth companies, at 70%, 53% and 87% respectively. By contrast, men accounted for 74% of workers in the third company and 51% in the fifth. Most employees were under 35 in all five companies, with the figures ranging from 26% to 93%.

Finally, staff turnover was lowest in the first company, at only 5%, while the fifth had the highest rate, at 33%. The proportion of staff in the high-income bracket was greatest in the third company, at 74%, followed by the second at 48%. The fourth and fifth companies had the lowest figures, at only 5% and 2% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the data and provided relevant comparisons across the five companies. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends, such as the contrast in staff numbers and turnover rates. You have supported your points with accurate data from the table, ensuring that the information is well-selected and relevant. The structure is logical, and the comparison between companies is consistent throughout the report. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently highlight the most striking differences or similarities rather than listing data points, though your current approach is already quite analytical and effective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an overview to specific details regarding staff numbers, gender, and finally, turnover and income. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Regarding', and 'By contrast', which help the reader follow the comparisons easily. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information. The flow is smooth, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking. The logical sequencing of information ensures that the report is easy to read and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Terms like 'highest-rated', 'gender ratios', 'staff turnover', and 'high-income bracket' are used correctly and appropriately for the context of a data report. The language is precise, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a standard range. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or varied synonyms to describe trends, such as 'predominate', 'fluctuate', or 'a significant disparity', to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The number of staff varied considerably among the five companies' and 'The fifth company employed 190 people, compared with 79 in the second company'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, showing good control over tense and subject-verb agreement. The use of comparative structures is particularly strong, which is essential for this type of task. The writing is clear, professional, and grammatically sound throughout.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.