Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-25

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 earned by anthropologists working in three different sectors after five years

Overall, full-time employment was the most common destination for graduates, whereas combining part-time work with postgraduate study was the least popular option. Furthermore, after five years, anthropologists employed in the government sector generally earned the highest salaries, while those working in private companies were more concentrated in the middle salary ranges.

Regarding graduates’ destinations, just over half (52%) secured full-time employment after graduation, making it by far the largest category. Part-time work was the second most common outcome, accounting for 15% of graduates. By comparison, 12% were unemployed, while equal proportions of 8% either pursued full-time postgraduate study or had unknown destinations. Only 5% combined part-time work with postgraduate study, representing the smallest shares

Turning to salaries after five years, government employees recorded the highest earnings, with half (50%) receiving an annual salary of $100,000 or more, compared with 40% of freelance consultants and 30% of those working in private companies. Freelance consultants were most likely to earn between $75,000 and $99,999, at 40%, whereas the largest proportion of employees in private companies (35%) fell into the $50,000 to $74,999 salary band. At the lower end of the scale ($25,000–49,999), the figures were relatively small across all sectors, ranging from 5% to 10%.

AI examiner evaluation

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 clearly highlights the most significant trends, such as full-time employment being the most common destination and the government sector offering the highest salaries. You have also made relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the salary distributions across the three sectors. The data is accurately presented and supports your claims throughout the report. All parts of the prompt are addressed comprehensively, and the information is well-selected to provide a clear summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overview, the graduate destinations, and the salary data. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'Regarding', 'By comparison', and 'Turning to'. These transitions help the reader follow the argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct data sets. The information flows naturally, and there is no repetition or confusion in the structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'secured full-time employment', 'pursued full-time postgraduate study', and 'salary band' are used accurately and in the correct context. You avoid repetition by using varied terminology to describe the data, such as 'recorded the highest earnings' and 'fell into the... salary band'. The language is natural and sophisticated, fitting the requirements of an academic report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with ease, such as the use of subordinate clauses in the introduction and the comparative structures in the body paragraphs. Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. The use of percentages and numerical data is integrated smoothly into the sentences. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall control of syntax is very strong.

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