Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-12
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 pie chart illustrates the future plan of Anthropology graduates in the university. The table compares the salaries of anthropologists after five years.
As per the diagram, more than half of the total students after graduation chose full time work as their future plan. However, only 5% of students go for part time work and postgraduation. It is seen that a small proportion of students are unknown about the future plan which is same as that of the share of students who adopt postgraduation.
On the other hand, from the table it is evident those who enter in the government sector will receive exactly half of the total salary $100,000 after 5 years. Despite the freelance consultants will provide merely 5% of the salary $25,000-$49,999 which is the least one.
To sum up, most of the undergraduates decide to choose postgrduation. Whereas, the students with job in the government sector get exceptional salary.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response identifies the two visuals and includes a few relevant figures, such as 52% entering full-time work and the 5% share combining part-time work with postgraduate study. However, it reports very little of the chart and table accurately, and the overview is seriously misleading: the conclusion says most graduates choose postgraduate study, whereas 52% enter full-time work and only 13% pursue postgraduate study, either full- or part-time. The table is also misinterpreted: 50% in the government sector earn $100,000 or more; this is not a salary of exactly $100,000. Important comparisons across salary bands and employment types are omitted. To improve, give a clear, accurate overview and select several key figures from both visuals.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about the chart, a paragraph about the table, and a concluding statement. This makes the two sources easy to distinguish, and transitions such as “On the other hand” help signal a shift. However, the conclusion repeats an inaccurate claim rather than synthesising the main features, and some links between ideas are awkward or unclear, as in “which is same as that of the share.” The contrast marker “However” does not clearly express the relationship between the two chart figures. Organise the body around the most important comparisons and use linking phrases only where their logical relationship is clear.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
There is enough vocabulary to communicate the general topic, including “future plan,” “proportion,” “government sector,” and “freelance consultants.” The response also attempts more formal reporting language, such as “it is evident.” However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing statistical data: “future plan” is better expressed as “destination” or “employment outcome,” and “receive exactly half of the total salary” confuses a percentage distribution with an individual salary. “The least one” is also an awkward way to identify the smallest share. Spelling errors such as “postgrduation” reduce accuracy. Use precise terms for categories, proportions, and salary bands, and check spelling before submitting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response uses both simple sentences and some attempts at more complex structures, including “It is seen that…” and “Despite the freelance consultants…”. Meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors make relationships between ideas unclear. For example, “it is evident those who enter in the government sector will receive” needs a clearer clause structure, and “Despite the freelance consultants will provide” incorrectly uses a finite clause after “despite.” There are also issues with articles and agreement in “which is same as that of the share.” Aim for accurate comparisons, such as “The proportion earning $100,000 or more is highest in the government sector,” and practise using “although” or “while” to introduce full clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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