Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-10

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 5.5)

The chart illustrates the destination of anthropology graduates from one university after finishing degree course wheather in full-time work or part-time work or a full-time postgraduate study. While the table contrast the salaries of anthropology students after 5 year's work in three different sectors freelance,goverment sector,and private companies.

From an overall perspective full-time work aquired the large proportion after graduation. Meanwhile part-time work+postgraduate study students are accounted for least ones.

To begin with, the destination of anthropology students directly go for a full-time work which has large proportion 52% through that 15% accounted for part-time work second most preffered choice while 12% were still unemployed and ahead full-time postgraduate study and not known are equal to 8%.

Furthermore, salary of anthropology graduates after 5 years work freelance consultants payout were $25,000- 49,999 only 5% continue with that goverment sector hold same 5% while private employes 10% more than other sectors. salary between $50,000- 74,999 freelance hold 15% same as goverment and 35% in private companies. Employee who earn more than $100,000+ in which freelance aquired 40% goverment 50% more freelance and private.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main destination clearly: full-time work is the largest category at 52%, and you note that part-time work plus postgraduate study is the smallest at 5%. You also make relevant comparisons across salary sectors. However, the overview is incomplete, and the salary discussion omits the $75,000–99,999 band entirely. Some figures are also left unclear: “private” at the highest salary level is not given, and the table’s 40% and 30% figures for the $75,000–99,999 band are not reported. The statement that graduates “directly go” into work also overstates what the chart shows, which is their destination after graduation. Include the key salary patterns and make the overview cover both visuals.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for destinations and salaries. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and transitions such as “To begin with” and “Furthermore” signal a change of focus. However, the progression within the salary paragraph is difficult to follow because the figures are packed into long, loosely connected statements. For example, the sequence beginning “salary of anthropology graduates…” shifts between sectors and income bands without consistently identifying the comparison. Some linking phrases are also mechanical rather than showing precise relationships. Group the salary data by income band or sector, and use clear references such as “In the lowest band” and “By contrast” to make comparisons easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “destination,” “proportion,” “postgraduate study,” and “sectors,” and you attempt to describe comparisons with phrases such as “second most preferred choice.” However, word choice and spelling are often inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the meaning harder to interpret. Examples include “aquired” for “accounted for,” “payout” for salaries or earnings, and “private employes” for employees in private companies. “Large proportion” is understandable but imprecise when describing the largest category. Aim for accurate, natural collocations such as “accounted for the largest share,” “earned,” and “employees in private companies,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast introduced by “While” and the overview phrase “From an overall perspective.” However, control is inconsistent, and several sentences contain errors in clause structure, agreement, articles, or punctuation. For example, “Meanwhile part-time work+postgraduate study students are accounted for least ones” has an unclear subject and faulty verb construction; “the destination … directly go” also has incorrect agreement and sentence structure. The salary paragraph contains run-on constructions, such as “freelance hold 15% same as goverment and 35% in private companies,” which obscure the relationships between figures. Build shorter, complete sentences first, then add controlled comparisons, checking subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries.

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

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