Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-05
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 5.0)
The graph illustrates the percentage of people who prefer visiting the restaurants for eating fast food instead of online order at home in the year 2003, 2006 and 2013.
Let's begin with the people who never visited and reached to fast food branches every day are less than equal to 5%. While, people who dine in several times a week are 20% in 2006 and 17% in 2003 whereas 16% in 2013. When we take look on the customers who ate in hotels once a week and once or twice a month the ratio crosses above 30%. The ratio of once a week in 2003 is above 30% while in once a month it slightly decreases to 30%. In order to when we see in year 2006 the percentage is 33 and it shows a dump for once or twice a month visitor and drops to 20%. On the other hand, in 2013 the people visiting restaurants were 27% and noticed a gradual increase for once or twice a month visitors and touches to 33%.
Lastly, the people who encouraged dine-in a few times a year are15% in the year 2006 and 2013 while in 2003 the ratio is 13%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, but the presentation of data is often confusing and inaccurate. For instance, the statement that the ratio of 'once a week' in 2003 is above 30% is not supported by the data provided. Furthermore, the description of trends is inconsistent; the phrase 'shows a dump' is informal and unclear. While you have attempted to compare the years, the lack of clarity in reporting the figures makes it difficult for the reader to follow the trends. To improve, focus on accurately transcribing the data points and grouping them logically by category or trend rather than listing them chronologically in a way that obscures the overall picture.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'In order to when we see in year 2006'. The transition between sentences is frequently abrupt, making the text feel like a list of disconnected observations rather than a coherent summary. Referencing is also problematic; for example, the term 'hotels' is used to describe fast food restaurants, which is inaccurate and confusing. Better use of linking words like 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'subsequently' would help improve the flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and sometimes inappropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'shows a dump' and 'touches to' are not standard academic English. There is also a lack of precision in describing statistical trends; for example, 'the ratio crosses above 30%' is awkward. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle with collocations related to data analysis. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'accounted for', or 'a significant proportion'. Additionally, ensure that you use the correct terminology for the subject matter, such as 'fast food outlets' instead of 'hotels'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'people... are less than equal to 5%' and 'the ratio... are 20%'. Sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'Let's begin with the people who never visited and reached to fast food branches every day are less than equal to 5%'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods (e.g., 'are15%'). Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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