Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-12

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 6.5)

The given pie chart shows the destinations of Anthropology graduates of a particular university after completing their undergraduate degree and the table gives information about their earnings after five years.

Overall, full-time work had the highest proportion of graduates, while the smallest proportion of university graduates worked part-time with their postgraduate study. After five years, the government sector had the highest percentage of graduates earning $100,000 or more, followed by freelance consultants, while private companies had the highest proportion of graduates earning $50,000-74,999.

According to the pie chart, 52% of graduates worked full-time, while only 15% worked part-time. The proportion of graduates who combined part-time work with their postgraduate studies were only 5%, whereas 8% graduates worked full-time with their postgraduate studies. The proportion of unemployed graduates and those whose status is not known were at 12% and 8%.

According to the table, the government sector had the highest proportion of employees (50%) in the $100,000 or more category, compared with 40 % of freelance consultants and 30 % of private companies. In the $25,000-49,999 range, private companies had the highest percentage of graduates (10%), while both the government sector and freelance consultants each recorded at 5%. In the $50,000-74,999 category, private companies accounted for the largest share (35%), compared with the government sector and freelance consultants, both at 15%. Freelance consultants had the highest proportion of graduates in the $75,000-99,999 salary range (40%), while the government sector was at 30% and private companies were at 25%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task effectively. The student provides a clear overview of both the pie chart and the table, noting key features such as full-time work being the most common destination and highlighting the salary breakdown across different sectors. Specific data points, such as 52% working full-time and 50% of the government sector earning $100,000 or more, are accurately reported. Relevant comparisons are made throughout the text, meeting all requirements for Task 1 of the Academic module. The information is well-selected, and the main trends are clearly communicated without unnecessary listing of every single minor data point.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The text is logically organised with a clear progression from an introduction and overall summary to specific details from the chart and table. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'According to the pie chart', and 'According to the table', which help guide the reader through the information. However, referencing and transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to achieve a higher band. Overall, the arrangement is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing statistical data and charts. Phrases like 'highest proportion', 'smallest proportion', 'combined part-time work', and 'salary range' are used accurately. There are attempts at less common vocabulary, and meaning is conveyed clearly throughout. A few minor awkward expressions appear, such as 'whose status is not known were at 12%', but these do not impede communication. The lexical resource is fully sufficient for a Band 6.5 or solid 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student successfully incorporates subordinate clauses and comparative structures, such as 'while the smallest proportion of university graduates worked part-time with their postgraduate study' and 'compared with 40% of freelance consultants'. Grammatical control is generally strong, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor errors, such as 'were only 5%, whereas 8% graduates worked' (missing 'of'), do not interfere with understanding. Punctuation and tense usage are handled well.

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

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