Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-28

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 destination of Anthropology graduates from one university after completing their undergraduate degree course, while the table presents data about the salaries of the anthropologist in work after working for five years.

Overall, it is evident that the majority of the graduates joined full-time work, and least of them are now in part-time work + postgrad study. Additionally, most of the anthropologists working in the government sector earn the highest income compared to other sectors.

Looking first at the destination of the anthropology graduates, more than half of them are now engaged in full-time work, while only 5% of them are enrolled in a part-time work + postgrad study. Additionally, 15% of the graduates are part-time workers, full-time postgrad study and unknown sector stood at 8% each. Furthermore, 12% of the anthropology graduates are unemployed.

Turning to the salaries of the anthropologists after working for five years, exactly half of them earn $100,000+ in the government sector, making it the highest income in compare to other sectors. Additionally, 40% of the anthropologists are also earning $100,000 by working as a freelance consultant, while only 30% of them are generating that income level in the private companies. Interestingly, 10% of the graduates have salaries in the $25,000-49,999 income bracket, while in the government sector and in freelance consultancy, only 5% each have that level of income.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting an overview of both the pie chart and the table. The main features are appropriately highlighted, such as the dominant proportion of graduates in full-time work (52%) and the high salaries in the government sector ($100,000+). However, there is a minor unnatural phrasing in the overview ('least of them are now in part-time work + postgrad study'), and some minor data grouping could be tighter. Overall, the response covers the task well and provides clear, supported comparisons, aligning closely with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into four paragraphs, featuring a clear introduction, an overall summary, and two body paragraphs dedicated to each chart. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking first at', 'Additionally', and 'Turning to' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate, although referencing is slightly mechanical in places. Progression is clear throughout, satisfying the requirements for Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'engaged in', 'enrolled', 'unemployed', and 'consultancy'. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'highest income in compare to' (instead of 'compared to') and 'unknown sector'. Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the data accurately, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory subordinate clauses ('Looking first at the destination...'). There are some grammatical errors, notably 'salaries of the anthropologist' (singular instead of plural) and 'earning $100,000 by working' lacking an article or plural form in places, but these errors do not impede communication. The control of grammar and punctuation is generally sound, supporting a Band 6.5 or solid Band 6 performance.

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

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