Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-29
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 career destinations of Anthropology graduates from a single university, while the table details their salaries across three employment sectors after five years of work.
Overall, the vast majority of graduates entered employment, with full-time work being the most common choice. Additionally, salaries were generally high after five years, particularly in freelance consulting and the government sector.
Regarding career destinations, 52% of graduates secured full-time employment, while 15% worked part-time. Smaller proportions engaged in full-time postgraduate study (8%), combined part-time work with postgraduate study (5%), or were unemployed (12%). The status of the remaining 8% was unknown.
In terms of earnings after five years, 80% of freelance consultants earned $75,000 or more, with equal 40% shares falling into the $75,000–$99,999 and $100,000+ brackets. Similarly, government employees saw significant high earnings, with 50% earning over $100,000. Conversely, private sector workers earned relatively lower amounts, with 35% receiving $50,000–$74,999 and only 30% earning $100,000+.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends in both the pie chart and the table. The selection of data is relevant, and you have successfully made comparisons, such as noting that freelance consultants and government employees generally earned higher salaries compared to those in the private sector. The information is well-supported by the figures provided in the prompt. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are fully integrated into the narrative flow rather than just listing percentages, though your current approach is already quite strong and analytical.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the distinct datasets. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'In terms of', and 'Conversely' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the career destinations from the salary data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is professional and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'career destinations', 'secured full-time employment', and 'significant high earnings' show a level of precision. You use specific terminology related to the data effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'earning' or 'proportion' could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and with a degree of flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response uses a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the opening sentence which combines two clauses with 'while'. There is a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the text, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to manage lists and clauses. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which indicates a strong command of English grammar suitable for this task.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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