Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-27

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 destinations of Anthropology graduates from one university after completing their undergraduate degree, while the table provides information about the salaries of those employed in different sectors after five years.

Overall, full-time employment was by far the most common destination, accounting for just over half of the graduates. In contrast, only a small proportion combined part-time work with postgraduate study. After five years, salaries were generally highest in the government sector, whereas private-company employees were more concentrated in the middle salary ranges.

According to the pie chart, 52% of Anthropology graduates entered full-time employment, making this the dominant destination. A further 15% worked part-time, while 8% continued their education through full-time postgraduate study. Meanwhile, 5% combined part-time employment with postgraduate study. Unemployment accounted for 12% of graduates, and the destination of the remaining 8% was not known. Thus, approximately three-quarters of graduates either worked full-time or part-time after completing their degree.

The table shows noticeable differences in earnings after five years. Among freelance consultants, 40% earned between $75,000 and $99,999, while another 40% received $100,000 or more. The government sector had the highest proportion of high earners, with 50% earning at least $100,000 and a further 30% earning $75,000–$99,999. In comparison, private companies had a larger share of employees in the $50,000–$74,999 range, at 35%. Only 10% earned $25,000–$49,999, while 25% earned $75,000–$99,999 and 30% received $100,000 or more.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate summary of both the pie chart and the table. An appropriate overview is included right at the beginning, highlighting the dominant destination of graduates and noting key salary patterns across sectors, such as the government sector having the highest salaries. All data points cited, including the 52% in full-time work and the 50% earning $100,000+ in government, align accurately with the provided visual data. The response successfully reports the main features and makes relevant comparisons without introducing irrelevant personal opinions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from an introductory overview to body paragraphs detailing the pie chart and the table separately. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'In comparison' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader smoothly through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Referencing is clear throughout, making the overall arrangement very coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'dominant destination', 'proportion', 'earnings', and 'higher share' are used accurately. There is effective use of less common items such as 'freelance consultants', 'unemployment', and 'postgraduate study'. Word choices and collocations are generally natural, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures, including subordinate clauses ('while the table provides information', 'making this the dominant destination'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Complex sentences are handled accurately, and minor slips are virtually absent. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list data points.

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