Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-29

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, while the table compares the salaries of Anthropology graduates after five years of work.

Overall, full-time employment accounted for the largest proportion of graduates, whereas part-time work and postgraduate study represented smaller proportions. In terms of salaries, government employees and freelance consultants experienced substantial increases over the five-year period, while salaries in the private sector fluctuated.

Full-time workers accounted for the largest share, at 52%. Part-time workers were the second-largest group, representing 15%, followed by unemployed graduates at 12%. Full-time postgraduate students and those whose destinations were unknown each accounted for 8%.

Regarding salaries after five years, the proportion of graduates earning higher salaries in the government sector increased considerably, from 5% to 50%, making it the largest category. Similarly, the proportion of freelance consultants rose from 5% to 40%. By comparison, private-sector employees started at 10%, increased to 35%, then fell to 25% before ending at 30%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and reporting the main features of both the chart and the table. The proportions of graduate destinations (such as 52% for full-time work) and the salary distributions across sectors are accurately reported with well-chosen comparisons. For example, the writer correctly highlights that government employees experienced significant salary growth, with the highest bracket rising from 5% to 50%. The response is fully developed and well-grounded in the provided visual data, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is logically divided into appropriate paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overall trend summary, followed by a detailed paragraph on graduate destinations, and concluding with a detailed breakdown of salaries. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'In terms of', and 'Similarly' are used effectively to connect ideas without being obtrusive. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the text flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic report. Phrases such as 'accounted for the largest proportion', 'substantial increases', and 'fluctuated' demonstrate a good command of lexical items related to data analysis. Less common vocabulary is attempted with reasonable success. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, such as slightly misinterpreting the table's salary brackets (the table shows salary ranges across categories rather than a time-series progression for a single group, though the student's description of 'proportion of graduates earning higher salaries' remains largely functional and understandable).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as concessive clauses ('whereas part-time work and postgraduate study represented smaller proportions') and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is strong throughout. Punctuation is accurate, and minor slips are virtually absent. The complexity of structures used supports clear communication and meets the criteria for a high band score.

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