Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-17
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 chart illustrates the proportion of how the graduate students in Anthropology utilise their time in six different types of activities after completing their undergraduate studies at one university, and the table also demonstrates the income of the anthropologists working after five years.
Overall, the pie chart informs us that the majority of the graduates did full-time work, which includes 52%, and the lowest percentage is 5%, which they combined did part-time work and postgraduate study.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
The response identifies the chart’s main category correctly: full-time work accounts for 52%, and it also notes the smallest share, 5%, for graduates combining part-time work with postgraduate study. However, it does not summarise the table at all, and most of the chart categories and their figures are omitted, so the key comparisons across the two visuals are missing. The overview is also limited to two proportions rather than the broader pattern, such as the fact that full-time work is the largest destination and that government employees are most likely to earn $100,000 or more. The required minimum length is not met, which contributes to the task being addressed only minimally. To improve, include a concise overview and select several accurate comparisons from both visuals.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic, understandable sequence: it first introduces both visuals and then gives an overview of the pie chart. The opening phrase “The chart illustrates…” makes the topic clear, and “Overall” signals a shift to the main feature. However, the response ends after this overview, with no developed body paragraph or progression through the data. As a result, the two visuals are not connected or organised into a fuller summary, and the reader receives little guidance on how the figures compare. Build a clear structure with an introduction, an overview, and one or two paragraphs grouping related chart and table details. Use linking language to show contrasts and similarities rather than relying on a single transition.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the basic subject, with relevant terms such as “proportion,” “undergraduate studies,” “postgraduate study,” and “income.” The writer also attempts some formal reporting language, including “illustrates” and “demonstrates.” However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural: “utilise their time” suggests how graduates spend time, whereas the chart shows their destinations; “graduate students” is not the clearest term for graduates who have completed a degree; and “the lowest percentage is 5%, which they combined did…” is awkwardly expressed. Use precise chart language such as “employment destination,” “graduates,” and “the smallest category was…”. A wider range of comparison terms would also help report the table accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response uses two complete sentences and includes a subordinate clause in “which includes 52%,” showing some ability to form more than simple sentences. The main meaning is generally understandable. However, the first sentence is structurally awkward: “the proportion of how the graduate students… utilise their time” combines patterns that do not fit together smoothly. In the second sentence, “the lowest percentage is 5%, which they combined did…” has an unclear clause structure, and the present-tense “is” is less suitable for describing completed graduates’ outcomes. Aim for direct sentence patterns, for example, “The chart shows the destinations of Anthropology graduates after completing their degrees.” Check clause construction and use past-tense reporting consistently.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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