Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Pie chart illustrates the jobs pursued by anthropology graduates of one university upon completion of their degree. While the table compares the salary of graduates after 5 years of employment .

Upon completion of degree majority of students pursued full time work while least percentage preffered to continue postgrad studies and part time job . The difference among the later was 52% and 5% respectively. However chart denominates other categories as well , part time work , unemployment, full time post-grad study and unknown with numbers fluctuating around 15%, 12%, 8% and 8% respectively.

The table on contrary depicts the salary range of anthropology graduates after five years by put them in certain pay scale range . In freelance consultants category graduates make progression significantly as more percentage of student fall in higher pay scale like from 5% in 25 to 50k dollars to 15% in 50 to 75k and 40% each in 75kl to 100k and 100k+ respectively. Government sector has showed significant growth over the years as maximum percentage of graduates fall in 100k+ dollars category. The numbers shaffle from 5% to 15% and 30% to maximum peak 50% respective. on contrary graduates pursuing job in private companies has majority of them in category 50k to 75k range as it constitutes around 35% while 10% , 25% and 30% fall in 25k to 50k, 75k to 100k and 100k+ dollars category.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover both visuals and report several accurate figures, including 52% in full-time work, 12% unemployed, and the salary distributions for all three employment types. The comparisons between higher salary bands in government and freelance work and the largest private-company band are relevant. However, the overview is not clearly separated or sufficiently precise: the claim that the smallest group preferred “postgrad studies and part time job” combines two categories, and the 5% figure is not the smallest overall because full-time postgraduate study and “not known” are both 8%. The salary discussion also describes “progression” and “growth over the years,” although the table compares salary bands after five years rather than showing change over time. State the main patterns accurately in a concise overview, then support them with selected comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: it introduces the pie chart, discusses graduate destinations, and then turns to the salary table. This gives the reader a basic framework, and the figures are generally grouped by chart. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and linking phrases are used mechanically or inaccurately. For example, “The difference among the later was 52% and 5% respectively” does not clearly identify the categories being compared, while “on contrary” introduces a contrast that is not fully explained. The overview is also embedded in the body rather than clearly signposted. Use a distinct overview paragraph and organise the details into clear comparisons; ensure each reference such as “the latter” has an unmistakable antecedent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “salary range,” “employment,” “category,” and “percentage,” and you attempt more formal expressions such as “Upon completion” and “depicts.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the meaning less clear. “The numbers shaffle” is not an appropriate expression, and “graduates make progression significantly” does not naturally describe a distribution across salary bands. There are also spelling errors, including “preffered” and “denominates,” and inconsistent forms such as “post-grad.” Aim for precise chart language such as “accounted for,” “was the largest share,” and “the proportion earning,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast introduced by “while” and clauses beginning with “as.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction, articles, agreement, and punctuation occur often enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “The difference among the later was 52% and 5% respectively” has an unclear grammatical structure, while “The table on contrary depicts … by put them” contains faulty clause construction. There are also missing or misplaced articles and spaces before full stops, as in the opening sentence. Practise building accurate comparison sentences with a clear subject and verb, and proofread each sentence for articles, agreement, and punctuation before adding more complex structures.

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