Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-14

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 anthropology graduates from one university and their professions after finishing their undergraduate degree, whereas the table reflects the salaries of the anthropologists at work after five years. The data is calibrated in percentage.

By visualising the given data, it is clearly seen that, major of the students with more than half, were full-time workers, at 52% followed by Part-time work was done by 15% of people . Moving forward, about 12% of individuals remained unemployed. Whereas, both Full-time postgraduate students and not known were about 8 %, and very few with 5 % people were Part-time working and pursuing their postgraduation. Apart from this, salaries after 5 years of graduation, almost 80% of freelancing consultants made more then $75,000 and 15% made above $50,000. Only 5% consultant made less then $50,000. Moving forward , government sector half of people made more then $1000,000 and 30% made between $75,000 to $1000,000 at last ,only 20% individuals made less then $75,000. Moreover, private sector just above the half 55% of people made more then $75,000 leaving 45% people make below then 75,000.

To conclude, with 52% of students got full-time work and 5% of students were part-time work plus post graduation study.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover both visuals and identify the main destination clearly: full-time work is the largest category at 52%, while part-time work plus postgraduate study is the smallest at 5%. You also make useful salary comparisons, including the high proportions earning over $75,000 among freelance consultants and government employees. However, some figures are misreported: 50% of government employees, not “half,” earn $100,000 or more (your text says “$1000,000,” which is also an incorrect threshold), and 55% of private-company employees earn above $50,000, not above $75,000. The conclusion repeats destination figures rather than summarising the overall patterns. More accurate comparisons and a clearer overview would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows a generally understandable order: it introduces the visuals, describes graduate destinations, then turns to salaries. This gives the reader a coherent overall route through the information. However, the paragraphing is limited, and the repeated transitions “Moving forward” and “Apart from this” feel mechanical rather than showing precise relationships between points. Some comparisons are also difficult to follow because several figures are packed into long sentences, especially the government-sector sentence. The final “To conclude” repeats earlier information instead of drawing together the main contrasts. Separate the destination and salary information into clear paragraphs, group related salary bands, and use linking phrases that signal comparison or contrast.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary such as “full-time workers,” “unemployed,” “freelancing consultants,” and “government sector,” so the topic is generally clear. There is also some attempt to vary wording through phrases such as “remained unemployed” and “made more than.” However, several expressions are awkward or imprecise, including “the data is calibrated in percentage,” “major of the students,” and “the pie chart illustrates the anthropology graduates.” Spelling and word-form errors such as “then” for “than” and “freelancing” where “freelance” is needed also reduce accuracy. Aim for standard chart language and precise salary descriptions, such as “accounted for,” “earned,” and “salary range.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the reader can usually understand the intended comparisons. Some sentences are controlled, such as the opening contrast between the pie chart and table. However, errors in sentence construction and punctuation recur. For example, “major of the students with more than half, were full-time workers” has an unclear subject and misplaced commas, while “leaving 45% people make below then 75,000” does not form a correct clause. There are also problems with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries, as in “Only 5% consultant made” and the run-on government-sector description. Use a clear subject and verb for each comparison, check singular and plural forms, and punctuate long sentences more carefully.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.