Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-19

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 immediate destinations of anthropology graduates from a single university upon completing their undergraduate degree, while the accompanying table outlines their income levels after five years of work across three distinct employment sectors.

Overall, the vast majority of anthropology graduates entered the workforce, with full-time employment being by far the most popular pathway. Furthermore, after five years of experience, those working as freelance consultants and within the government sector generally commanded significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in private corporations.

Regarding post-graduation choices, 52% of graduates secured full-time employment, which was more than triple the proportion of those who took up part-time roles (15%). Unemployed individuals accounted for 12% of the cohort. Meanwhile, continuing education was a less common choice; 8% pursued full-time postgraduate study, and a mere 5% combined part-time employment with postgraduate coursework. The destinations of the remaining 8% were unspecified.

Looking at the financial data after five years of employment, freelance consultants and public sector workers were the highest earners. Exactly 40% of independent consultants and 50% of government employees earned upwards of $100,000, compared to just 30% of employees in private companies. Conversely, the private sector had the largest concentration of mid-tier salaries, with 35% earning between $50,000 and $74,999, and 25% making $25,000 to $49,999. Across all three areas, only a tiny minority (ranging from 1% to 10%) remained in the lowest bracket of under $25,000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The candidate has provided a very well-rounded and accurate response to the prompt. All parts of the visual data are addressed, covering both the pie chart detailing graduate destinations and the table showing salaries across three sectors after five years. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the dominant trend of full-time work and contrasting salary outcomes. Key features, such as the 52% entering full-time work and the high proportion of high earners among freelance consultants and government workers, are accurately reported with precise figures. The comparisons between sectors are also well drawn. This performance completely satisfies all the requirements of Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a clear and logical progression throughout. Information is thoughtfully grouped: the introduction sets up the charts, the second paragraph provides a succinct overview, the third paragraph details the pie chart data, and the final paragraph breaks down the table. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'Meanwhile', and 'Conversely'. Paragraphing is well-managed, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the visual data. Referencing is clear and precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the comparison of data points without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The candidate displays a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic report. Less common lexical items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'immediate destinations', 'undegraduate degree', 'commanded significantly higher salaries', and 'highest earners'. Word choices are precise, as seen in phrases like 'the vast majority', 'minority', and 'concentration of mid-tier salaries'. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the response, reflecting a strong command of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS Band 8 standard.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a wide range of complex structures used accurately and flexibly. Examples include non-defining relative clauses ('which was more than triple the proportion...'), participial phrases ('leaving the destinations of the remaining 8% unspecified'), and well-constructed comparative structures. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled with high precision. Control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout, supporting smooth readability and clear communication.

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