Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-08

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 5.0)

THE PIE CHART ILLUSTRATE GRADUATES IN ANTHROPOLOGY FROM ONE UNIVERSITY DID AFTER FINISHING THEIR UNDERGRADUATES COURSE AND THE TABLE ILLUSTRATES ANTHROPOLOGISTS SALARIES IN WORK AFTER FIVE YEARS.

OVERALL, IN PIE CHART THERE IS A HIGHEST PROPORTION OF FULL TIME JOB FOR GRADUATES. IN TERMS OF SALARIES, THE GOVERNMENT SECTORS HAD THE HIHGEST PORPOTION OF EMPLOYEES EARNING $100,000+, WHEREAS PRIVATE COMPANIES HAD THE LARGESTPERCENTAGE IN THE $50,000-$74,000 RANGE.

ACCORDING TO THE PIE CHART, 52% ENTERED IN FULL TIME JOB. A PERCENTAGE FOR PART TIME JOB AT 15%, WHILE 12% PERSUED FULL TIME POSTGRAD STUDY. THE RATION FOR PART TIME JOB WITH POSTGRAD STUDY AT 15%, REMAINING 20%, 12% ARE UNEMPLOYED, WHILE 8% IS NOT KNOWN.

FOR SALARIES AFTER FIVE YEARS, 40% OF FREELANCE CONSULTANTS EARNED BETWEEN $74,000 SND $99,999, AND THE SAME

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the main destination as full-time work and include an overview comparing salary patterns, which shows some understanding of both visuals. However, several figures are misreported: 12% pursued full-time postgraduate study, but the chart gives 8%; the combined part-time work and postgraduate-study group is 5%, not 15%; and the remaining 20% is not explained accurately. The salary description also stops mid-sentence, so the table is not adequately summarised, and the freelance salary band is misstated: 40% earned $75,000–$99,999, not $74,000–$99,999. The response is 19 words below the required minimum. Include accurate key comparisons for all three employment sectors and complete the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs referring to the chart and table. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “According to the pie chart,” and “while” help signal relationships between points. However, progression is weakened by the abrupt ending at “and the same,” which leaves the salary discussion incomplete. The chart paragraph also presents figures in a confusing sequence, including an unexplained “remaining 20%,” and some references are unclear. Use one paragraph for the destination chart and another for the salary table, group related figures logically, and ensure each sentence is complete. This would make the organisation clearer and cohesion less dependent on basic linking words.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “proportion,” “salary,” “freelance consultants,” and “government sectors,” and you attempt to describe comparisons. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts difficult to understand: “HIHGEST PORPOTION,” “LARGESTPERCENTAGE,” “PERSUED,” and “RATION.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “entered in full time job” and “a percentage for part time job at 15%.” Use standard chart language and accurate collocations, for example, “accounted for,” “worked full-time,” and “the proportion earning.” Check spelling carefully, and use consistent forms such as “full-time” and “postgraduate study” to improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

There are attempts to connect ideas in longer sentences, particularly with “while” and “whereas,” but the range of sentence structures is limited and errors occur frequently. The opening sentence lacks subject–verb agreement (“The pie chart illustrate”) and has an incomplete construction (“graduates … did after finishing”). Other examples include “A percentage for part time job at 15%,” which is not a complete sentence, and “12% is not known,” where the verb does not agree naturally with the plural percentage group. The final sentence is unfinished, further affecting accuracy. Practise complete subject–verb–object sentences, agreement with percentages and groups, and punctuation. Aim to produce accurate simple sentences before adding more complex comparisons.

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