Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-13

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 6.0)

THE GIVEN GRAPH ILLUSTRATE HOW FREQUENTLY THE PEOPLE IN USA ATE IN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS BETWEEN 2003 TO 2013. OVERALL, ONCE A WEEK WAS PREFARABLE FROM THE STARTING, ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH WAS LEADING AT THE END AND PEOPLE WERE NOT INTO EVERYDAY OR NEVER EATING FAST FOOD.

ON THE ONE HAND, "ONCE A WEEK" EATERS WERE AT THE TOP IN 2003 BY 32% AND IN 2006 EVEN RISING TO 34% AND EVENTUALY FACING A LITTLE DIP IN 2013 BY 27%. LOOKING AT THE TREND "ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH" WERE ALSO THE SAME BY 30%, 25% AND 34% IN 2003,2006 AND 2013 RESPECTFULLY AND PEOPLE WHO WERE " SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK " EATERS FACED A RISE IN 2006 BY 20% OTHER THAT THAT THEY WERE CONSTENT AROUND 17% TO 16% IN 2003 AND 2013.

HOWEVER, EATING AT FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS "EVERY DAY" WAS THE LEAST COMMON BEHAVIOR, SITTING AT JUST 4% AND REMAINING STABLE FROM 2003 TO 2013. IN CONTRAST, "EATING A FEW TIMES" A YEAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CATEGORIES AT AROUND 26-28%, SHOWING THAT MOST AMERICANS TREATED FAST FOOD AS AN OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE. MEANWHILE, THE "NEVER" CATEGORY ROSE SLIGHTLY FROM ABOUT 14% IN 2003 TO ROUGHLY 17% BY 2013, SUGGESTING A GRADUAL SHIFT TOWARD EATING FAST FOOD LESS OFTEN.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all key features of the chart, including the trends for various categories over the three time points. You successfully identified the main trends, such as the rise in 'once or twice a month' eaters and the stability of 'every day' eaters. However, there are some inaccuracies in data reporting; for example, you mention 'once a week' was 32% in 2003, but the chart shows it closer to 30%. Additionally, the category 'a few times a year' is mentioned as 26-28%, but the chart labels this as 'a few times a year' at 26% in 2003 and 28% in 2013. Precision in data transcription is essential for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a clear overview. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'However,' and 'In contrast' to signal shifts in the narrative. While the paragraphing is appropriate, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, though the grouping of data in the second paragraph is a bit dense, making it slightly harder to follow the comparisons between the different categories. Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'occasional indulgence,' 'gradual shift,' and 'stable.' There are some minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'PREFARABLE' (preferable), 'EVENTUALY' (eventually), and 'CONSTENT' (consistent). Additionally, the phrase 'other that that' is an informal way to transition. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise collocations and ensure spelling is accurate, as these errors occasionally distract the reader, even if they do not impede overall communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'THE GIVEN GRAPH ILLUSTRATE' (should be 'illustrates'), 'RESPECTFULLY' (should be 'respectively'), and 'OTHER THAT THAT' (should be 'other than that'). The use of capitalization throughout the text is also incorrect. While you attempt complex structures, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading. The sentences are generally understandable, but the control over grammar and punctuation is not consistent enough for a higher band.

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

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