Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-16

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 7.5)

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 of work.

Overall, full time employment was the most common destination among graduates, whereas only a small proportion combined part-time work with postgraduate study. In addition, after five years, graduates working in the government sector and as freelance consultants generally earned higher salaries than those employed by private companies.

Regarding graduates' immediate destination, the largest proportion is full time employment which is over a half. Full time postgraduate study was the second most common option, accounting for 15% of graduates, followed by part-time work at 15%. Meanwhile, 8% of graduates were unemployed, while 5% combined part-time work with postgraduate study. The remaining 8% fell into the ‘not known’ category.

Turning to salaries after five years of work, the highest proportion was recorded in the government sector, where 50% of graduates earned more than $100,000. This was followed by freelance consultants, with 40% receiving salaries in the same range, while the corresponding figure for private companies was considerably lower, at 30%. Regarding the $75,000–99,999 salary band, freelance consultants accounted for the largest share at 40%, compared with 30% in the government sector and 25% in private companies. In the $50,000–74,999 range, private companies had the highest percentage, at 35%, whereas both freelance consultants and the government sector stood at 15%. Finally, the lowest salary band ($25,000–49,999) represented the smallest proportion overall, with 10% of graduates in private companies and only 5% in both the government sector and freelance consultancy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the prompt. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends in both the pie chart and the table. The selection of data is accurate, and you have made relevant comparisons, such as noting that government sector and freelance consultants generally earned higher salaries than those in private companies. The report is well-structured, and all key features are highlighted without unnecessary detail. The information is presented in a logical manner, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparison between the different sectors and salary brackets. This is a comprehensive and well-focused summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that separate the two data sets effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'Turning to', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used skillfully to group related ideas, and the progression of information is smooth. The referencing is clear, and the relationship between the different data points is well-managed throughout the text. There is a natural flow of ideas, and the structure supports the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Terms such as 'destinations', 'proportion', 'freelance consultants', and 'salary band' are used accurately. The language is appropriate for an academic report, and there is a good attempt to vary the terminology used to describe data trends. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'highest' or 'lowest' could elevate the response further. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The pie chart illustrates... while the table compares...' and 'This was followed by... while the corresponding figure...'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few errors. The sentence structures are varied, and the control over complex forms is consistent. The occasional minor slip does not impede communication, and the overall accuracy is high, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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