Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-31

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 gives information about six different destinations of anthropology graduates after finishing university, while the table compares the salaries earned by three occupations after working for five years.

Overall, over half of the graduates entered full-time employment after graduating, while a small proportion combined part-time work and postgraduate study. Regarding the table, workers in freelance consulting and government sectors were more likely to earn higher salaries, whereas those who worked in private companies showed a relatively balanced percentage across all the salary ranges.

According to the pie chart, 52% of graduates entered full-time work, while only 5% of them were in part-time work combined with postgraduate study. Those whose destinations were unknown accounted for exactly 8%, matching the 8% of graduates who pursued full-time postgraduate study. Meanwhile, 15% of them did part-time work, whereas 12% of graduates stayed unemployed.

Turning to the table, 5% of government sector employees and 10% of freelance consultants earned $25,000–$49,999, while 15% of both groups earned $50,000–$74,999. The largest proportion was observed in government sector employment at 50% for those earning $100,000+. Freelance consultants also recorded high figures, accounting for 40% in the $75,000–$99,999 range and another 40% in the $100,000+ bracket.

In terms of those who worked in private companies, the largest proportion was in the $50,000–$74,999 range at 35%, while the smallest figure was observed in the $25,000–$49,999 range at 10%. Additionally, 30% of them earned $100,000 and more, while those who had salaries of $75,000–$99,999 stood at 25%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses both parts of the prompt. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends in the pie chart and the table, and you have successfully selected and reported key features. The comparison between the different salary brackets for the three occupations is well-supported by the data provided. You have avoided listing every single figure, which is a strength, and instead focused on the most significant data points. The response is well-balanced, covering all aspects of the task requirements thoroughly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The information is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and distinct paragraphs for the pie chart and the table. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'meanwhile', 'turning to the table', and 'additionally'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different datasets, which helps the reader follow your analysis. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately, such as 'destinations', 'pursued', 'proportion', and 'bracket'. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to data trends (e.g., 'a significant minority', 'the figures peaked at') could elevate the response further, but the current range is more than adequate for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'while' clauses and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is consistent. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex structures to convey the information clearly. The accuracy is high, and the few minor slips do not detract from the overall quality of the writing.

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

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