Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 4.5)

People in the USA ate fast food in restaurants between 2003 and 2013. The information by selecting and report the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Frequency of eating fast food restaurants among people in the USA ([redacted phone]).

In 2003 people of the USA everyday eat fast food almost 0% day by day increase the percentage people of USA eat fast food and more value of fast food many people like the fast food.

In 2006 people of the USA eat fast food in restaurants several times a weak 15% and day by day increase 20% and value people more like the fast food in restaurants and once a weak almost percentage increase 25% to 30% and once or twice a month almost 35%.

In 2013 people are very like the fast food more increase the percentage of eating fast food several times a weak 15% to 20% and a weak 30% to 35% and once or twice a month increase percentage almost 35% to 37% people like the fast food and increase very more percentage.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion4.5
Lexical Resource4.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.5
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response makes an attempt to describe the chart and mentions all three years, but it does not clearly summarise the main features. Several figures are inaccurate or confused: for example, it gives 2006 “several times a week” as 15% and then 20%, whereas the chart shows 20%; it reports 2013 “once or twice a month” as about 35% to 37%, while the chart value is 33%. The overview is also missing: the response does not identify that weekly eating was highest in 2003 and 2006, while monthly eating became the most common frequency in 2013. Focus on accurate comparisons and report the key patterns rather than making unsupported claims about people liking fast food more.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic chronological arrangement, with separate sections beginning “In 2003,” “In 2006,” and “In 2013.” This gives the reader some sense of how the information is organised. However, the ideas within each section are difficult to follow because figures and categories are run together, and phrases such as “day by day increase” do not clearly connect the data. There is no distinct overview to guide the reader, and the repeated claims that people “like the fast food” do not help the progression. Use a clear introduction, an overview of the main trends, and paragraphs that compare related categories with accurate linking.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

Vocabulary is basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on “people,” “fast food,” “percentage,” and “increase.” Some wording makes the intended meaning unclear, such as “more value of fast food” and “people are very like the fast food.” The response does use relevant chart terms, including “several times a week” and “once or twice a month,” so it has a starting point for describing frequency. To improve, use precise language for proportions and trends, and avoid claims about preference that the chart does not show. Check spelling and word forms as well: “weak” is used where “week” is intended, and “everyday” should be “every day” when describing frequency.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to form sentences about each year, but grammatical control is weak and sentence structures are very limited. Examples include “people of the USA everyday eat fast food” and “people are very like the fast food,” where word order and verb construction make the meaning difficult to understand. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent, as in “day by day increase” and “people like the fast food and increase.” Several clauses are joined without clear punctuation, particularly in the 2006 and 2013 sections. Practise accurate simple sentences first, such as “In 2006, 20% ate fast food several times a week,” then combine comparisons using controlled structures such as “whereas” or “compared with.”

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