Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparison where relevant.

Student answer (Band 9.0)

The pie chart illustrates the destinations of Anthropology graduates from one university after completing their undergraduate degree, while the table compares the salaries of those employed in three different sectors after five years.

Overall, the majority of graduates entered full-time employment, whereas relatively small proportions were unemployed or had outcomes that were unknown. In terms of salaries after five years, government and freelance positions generally offered higher earnings than jobs in private companies.

According to the pie chart, 52% of graduates obtained full-time work, making it by far the most common destination. Part-time work accounted for 15%, while 5% combined part-time work with postgraduate study. A further 8% continued with full-time postgraduate study, and the same proportion (8%) had destinations that were not known. Meanwhile, 12% of graduates were unemployed.

The salary table shows that government sector employees were the highest paid overall, with 50% earning $100,000 or more after five years. Freelance consultants also performed well, as 40% received salaries exceeding $100,000, and another 40% earned between $75,000 and $99,999. By contrast, graduates working for private companies earned comparatively lower salaries, with 35% in the $50,000–$74,999 range, 25% earning $75,000–$99,999, and only 30% receiving $100,000 or above. In all three sectors, only a small minority earned less than $50,000 after five years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of both the pie chart and the table. The overview clearly highlights the key trends, and the body paragraphs provide a logical breakdown of the data. You have made relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the salary distributions between government, freelance, and private sectors. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the data is used accurately to support your points. The information is well-selected, and the report is balanced, ensuring that the reader gets a clear picture of the graduate destinations and salary outcomes without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and two distinct body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used a good range of cohesive devices, such as 'whereas', 'in terms of', 'meanwhile', and 'by contrast', which help to link the information effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two different data sets. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural, making the report very easy to read and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'destinations of Anthropology graduates', 'relatively small proportions', 'performed well', and 'comparatively lower salaries' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately in context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey the data clearly and professionally. The range of terms used to describe statistics and trends is varied and effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high level of accuracy. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, including subordinate clauses and comparative structures, which are essential for this type of task. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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