Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20
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 provided chart illustrates what the anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. However, the table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.
Overall, it is clear that the highest ratio of the anthropology graduate from a university mostly having a full-time work, while some of them have a part-time job.
In the graph, the highest proportion for the anthropology graduates have a full-time job accounted for 52%, followed by part-time work accounted for 15%, while the unemployed percentage are 12%. However, the remaining graduates persuing their postgrad study, while the percentage for part-time work with postgrad study accounted for 5% and 8% for those students who are only doing postgrad studies respectively.
In the table, the highest proportion is 50% for government sector with $100,000+ after 5 years' work, which is followed by freelance consultants at 40%, while private companies accounted for 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 covers the main features of both the chart and the table. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, in the table section, you list the percentages for the salary brackets but fail to make meaningful comparisons between the sectors, such as noting that the government sector has the highest proportion of high earners compared to private companies. Additionally, the description of the graph is slightly confusing due to the phrasing of the percentages for postgraduate studies. To reach a higher band, ensure you synthesize the data rather than just listing figures, and provide a clearer overview that highlights the most significant trends across both datasets.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'In the graph', and 'In the table' to signal transitions. However, the flow within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical. For example, the sentence 'However, the remaining graduates persuing their postgrad study, while the percentage for part-time work with postgrad study accounted for 5% and 8% for those students who are only doing postgrad studies respectively' is clunky and difficult to follow. Improving the use of referencing and smoother linking phrases would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'graduates', and 'freelance consultants'. However, there are some inaccuracies and spelling errors that slightly hinder the flow, such as 'persuing' (pursuing) and the awkward phrasing 'mostly having a full-time work'. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure spelling is accurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands. Expanding your repertoire of reporting verbs and comparative language would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. For example, 'the highest ratio of the anthropology graduate from a university mostly having a full-time work' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'the highest proportion of anthropology graduates were in full-time work'. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage throughout the text. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring your complex sentences are constructed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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