Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-14
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 8.0)
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 who had been working for five years in three different employment sectors.
Overall, full-time employment was by far the most common destination, accounting for just over half of all graduates. In terms of earnings after five years, freelance consultants and government employees tended to receive the highest salaries, whereas private-sector workers were more likely to earn within the middle salary ranges.
According to the pie chart, 52% of graduates entered full-time employment. A further 15% worked part-time, while 5% combined part-time work with postgraduate study. Meanwhile, 8% pursued full-time postgraduate studies. The proportion who were unemployed was relatively significant, at 12%, while the destination of the remaining 8% was unknown.
The salary data show that 80% of freelance consultants earned at least $75,000, including 40% who received $100,000 or more. Government-sector employees had a similar pattern, with 80% earning $75,000 or above and half making over $100,000. By contrast, only 55% of employees in private companies earned $75,000 or more. In addition, 35% of private-sector workers earned between $50,000 and $74,999, compared with just 15% in each of the other two sectors.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of both the pie chart and the table. The overview is clear and effectively synthesizes the data, highlighting the most significant trends. You have made relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the salary distributions between the private sector and the other two categories. The data is accurately represented, and the response covers all parts of the task without any omissions. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, demonstrating a strong ability to interpret visual data for an academic audience.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the pie chart details, and the salary table details. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Meanwhile,' 'By contrast,' and 'In addition,' which help guide the reader through the data smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of the data without any mechanical or repetitive phrasing.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary. The use of terms such as 'destinations,' 'pursued,' 'significant,' and 'salary ranges' is accurate and appropriate for an academic report. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms and descriptive phrases to discuss the data. The collocations are natural, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication. The vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey the information with precision, meeting the criteria for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'The pie chart illustrates the destinations... while the table compares the salaries...' and 'By contrast, only 55% of employees in private companies earned $75,000 or more.' Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your sentences. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not affect the overall readability or meaning of the report. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent.
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.