Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-21

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 5.0)

The chart illustrates the data of what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course.

The diagram shows the percentage of Anthropology graduates from the university. However, the percentage of full-time work is 52% and part-time work is 15%. On the other hand if we see the part-time work + post grad study is 5%. Nevertheless, the percentage of full-time post grad study, unemployed, not known is 8%,12% and 8%.

Nonetheless, the salaries of Anthropology graduates after 5 years' work are mentioned in the table given below. There are 3 types of employment, Freelance consultants, Government sector and Private companies. Yet, the salaries of freelance is starting from, $49,999-$74,999-$99,999 and $100,000+; however, the salaries of Government sector and Private companies are slightly different. Starting from

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Furthermore, the response is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence. While the student attempts to report data from the chart and table, the summary is fragmented and lacks a clear overview or meaningful comparisons. The data is presented as a list of figures rather than an analytical summary. To improve, you must ensure you complete the task by providing a full overview and comparing the data points rather than just listing them. The failure to finish the response prevents a full assessment of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is disjointed due to its incomplete nature. While there is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless', these are used mechanically and often inappropriately, as they do not always signal a logical contrast in the data. The paragraphing is present but ineffective because the second paragraph is cut off. To improve, focus on grouping related information logically and using transitions that reflect the actual relationship between data points, such as 'whereas' or 'in contrast' for comparisons.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'the percentage of' are used repeatedly, which limits the range. There is little evidence of academic vocabulary suitable for describing data trends or distributions. The student relies on simple descriptors and fails to use precise terminology for statistical reporting. To improve, incorporate a wider range of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'account for', 'the majority', or 'a significant minority', and avoid repeating the same sentence structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'the percentage of full-time work is 52%' (the percentage is not the work itself) and the list-like structure in the second paragraph. The sentence structure is simplistic, and the abrupt ending makes it impossible to evaluate the use of complex structures. There are also punctuation issues, particularly with the list of figures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that sentences are complete, grammatically sound, and varied in structure.

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

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