Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The pie chart illustrates the percentages of Anthropology graduates from one university who after finishing their undergraduate degree.
Overall, full time work accounted for the largest proportion at 52%. While part time work and study represented the smallest share. It is noticeable that the proportion of full time work increased.
Full time work accounted for 52% , making it the largest category.This was followed by part time work , at 15% . Unemployed and full time postgraduate study represented 12 % and 8%. So, the part time work postgraduate study represented the very smallest share.
The table illustrates the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.
Overall, freelance consultants had the largest proportion to earn salaries at 40% while private companies had the smallest proportion to earn money.
Looking at first freelance consultants many employees wanted to earn $75,000 to $100,000+ , at 40%. This was higher than private companies. Private companies wanted to earn $100,000+, at 30%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both the pie chart and the table, but the analysis is superficial. While you identify the largest and smallest categories, you fail to make meaningful comparisons between the data points. For instance, you mention the percentages but do not explain the relationship between the categories effectively. The statement 'the proportion of full time work increased' is unsupported by the data provided, as the chart shows a single point in time rather than a trend. To improve, focus on grouping related data and highlighting significant differences or similarities rather than simply listing figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes repetitive. Phrases like 'This was followed by' and 'Looking at' are used, but the transition between the two charts is abrupt. The logical progression is hindered by some awkward phrasing, such as 'So, the part time work postgraduate study represented the very smallest share,' which is confusing. Improving the use of linking words to show contrast and addition would enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'largest proportion', 'smallest share', and 'earn money'. There is a lack of academic collocations appropriate for describing data. Additionally, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'freelance consultants had the largest proportion to earn salaries', which is grammatically and semantically awkward. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data trends and financial terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent errors in punctuation and grammar, such as unnecessary spaces before commas (e.g., '52% ,') and missing articles. Some sentences are grammatically incomplete or poorly constructed, such as 'The pie chart illustrates the percentages of Anthropology graduates from one university who after finishing their undergraduate degree.' These errors occasionally impede the clarity of your message. Focusing on sentence structure and proofreading for basic grammatical slips will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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