Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-07

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 5.5)

According to this chart, most anthropology graduates (52%) are working full-time after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The others are working part-time (15%), part-time and postgraduate study (5%), full-time postgraduate (8%), unemployed (12%), not known (8%). The salaries of anthropology students range from 25,000 to 100,000 dollars after 5 years study and the students in governments sectors make upto 50% of the highest salary range which is 100,000. In the range of 75,000 to 99,999 Freelance consultant are ahead of government sector and private companies. Though the starting range of salary 25,000 to 49,000 is highest in private companies. This data suggests that after 5 years of study there are more chances of you getting to 100,000 mark salary in government sector but this depends on what you have done during the 5 years as postgraduate studies enhance your profile and give you an edge on other. The students who pursue work and further studies gain experience and more knowledge.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of both the chart and the table. You provided a clear overview of the employment status and made relevant comparisons between salary ranges and sectors. However, the response lacks a clear structure, such as separate paragraphs for the chart and the table, which makes the information feel slightly cluttered. Additionally, some data interpretation is slightly imprecise; for instance, stating that government sector employees make up 50% of the highest salary range is a misinterpretation of the data provided. To improve, ensure you group related data logically and focus on accurately describing the trends rather than speculating on the reasons behind the statistics, as this is a data summary task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is coherent overall, and the information is presented in a logical sequence. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and mechanical. You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, and there is a lack of linking words to connect your ideas smoothly. For example, the transition between the employment status section and the salary section is abrupt. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'furthermore', 'in contrast', 'consequently') to improve the flow between sentences and paragraphs. Paragraphing is also missing; dividing your report into clear sections would significantly enhance the readability and structure of your response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used an adequate range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'undergraduate degree', 'full-time', 'unemployed', and 'salary ranges'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'make upto 50% of the highest salary range' and 'an edge on other'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data reporting, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'a significant proportion', or 'surpass'. Expanding your vocabulary will help you describe the trends with greater precision and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'Freelance consultant are ahead' (subject-verb agreement), 'starting range of salary 25,000 to 49,000 is highest' (missing articles), and 'an edge on other' (missing noun). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Incorporating more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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

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