Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-01
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 6.0)
The pie chart illustrates the steps the graduates of Anthropology department take after graduating from the university program. While the table displays the earnings of anthropologists in their various work within five years of graduation.
Overall, it seen that the greater numbers of graduates of anthropologist preferred full time work with government sector hosting the highest paid individuals while the least was part-time work + postgrad study.
Full-time study was 52% which made it the most desired program across the categories with government sector housing the most paid anthropology graduates at 50% receiving $100,000 salary and above. The students who studied part-time + postgrad study were 15% which is the second preferred program in all. In line with freelance consultants which the percentage of graduates earning ranges from $25,000-49,999. It started with 5% but increased significantly over time to 15% earning, $50,000-74,999 but peaked at 40$ receiving $75,000-99,999 but slightly increased to $100,000+ while the percentage of those working in this area remain the same.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the task but contains significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. You correctly identify the main features, such as the popularity of full-time work and the salary distribution in the government sector. However, there are errors in reporting the data; for instance, you state that 'full-time study' was 52%, whereas the chart refers to 'full-time work'. Furthermore, the description of the freelance consultant salary data is confusing and does not accurately reflect the table provided. To improve, ensure you carefully cross-reference the labels in the chart with your text and avoid misinterpreting the categories. A clearer overview that highlights the most significant trends would also strengthen the response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression is hindered by some awkward phrasing and unclear transitions between ideas. For example, the transition 'In line with freelance consultants...' is abrupt and does not clearly connect to the previous sentence. While cohesive devices are used, they are sometimes mechanical or misused. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of linking words more naturally and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that flows logically from the previous one.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'graduates', 'undergraduate', and 'salary'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'steps the graduates... take' instead of 'destinations' or 'employment status'. There are also some errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'government sector housing the most paid' instead of 'highest-paid'. To improve, try to use more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that your collocations are natural. Expanding your range of reporting verbs and descriptive adjectives will also help you achieve a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'Overall, it seen that...' (missing auxiliary verb) and 'the percentage of graduates earning ranges from...' (subject-verb agreement issues). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of symbols like '+' and '$' in ways that disrupt the flow of formal writing. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb. Proofreading for minor errors like missing articles or incorrect verb forms will significantly enhance the clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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