Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-21
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 bar illustrates the percentage USA of people how much ate fast food at restaurants from 2003 to 2013.
Overall, it can be seen that eating fast food once a week and once or twice a month was the most common , while eating it every day and never eating it were the least common.
To begin with, the percentage of USA people ate fast food in every day recorded 4% , in 2003 . in 2006 and 2013 this figure slightly decreased to around 2% . fast food consumers several times a week about approximatily 17% in 2003 , this trend increased about 20% , fastfoo
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Because the text is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence, the overview is underdeveloped and the reporting of data is fragmented. While you have identified some main features, such as the most and least common frequencies, the lack of a complete analysis means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you complete the summary of all categories provided in the chart and provide a more comprehensive comparison of the trends across the decade.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into an introduction and a body paragraph, but the abrupt ending makes it difficult to assess the overall progression. Cohesive devices are used in a very basic way, such as 'Overall' and 'To begin with', but the lack of completion prevents a logical flow. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the mechanical nature of the writing makes it difficult to follow the comparison of data points. To improve, focus on using a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, finished structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, often relying on the words provided in the prompt. There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'percentage USA of people how much ate fast food' and 'fast food consumers several times a week about approximatily 17%'. These errors, combined with the incomplete nature of the sentences, make the text difficult to read at times. To improve, try to use more precise reporting verbs and nouns, and focus on accurate spelling and word order.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. Examples include 'the percentage of USA people ate fast food in every day recorded 4%', which lacks correct sentence structure and prepositional usage. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent. The incomplete sentences at the end of the text further demonstrate a lack of control over basic grammar. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and a complete verb phrase.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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