Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-22

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 5.5)

The given chart illustrates the proportion of USA people who ate in fast food restaurants on the regular basis in a given period.

Overall, the highest percentage of USA people is that who prefer to eat at fast food restaurants only once a week. In contrast, the proportion of that USA people who ate every day at fast food restaurants is very low in given years.

In 2006 and 2013 respectively, there are approximately 33 percent people of USA who prefer to eat fast food at restaurants which is higher than the other aspects. In contrast, there are only about 3 percent people in the 2006 and 2013 who ate every day at fast food restaurants which is comparatively low than the others.

Furthermore, In 2003, there are only approximately 4% USA people who ate fast food on the daily basis. Moreover, approximately 31% people of USA in 2003 who like to eat food at fast food restaurants.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a general overview and selects some key features, such as the highest and lowest categories. However, the analysis is limited. You have not fully addressed all the data points or made sufficient comparisons across the entire period (2003–2013). The report focuses heavily on 2006 and 2013, while 2003 is mentioned only at the end. To achieve a higher band, you should ensure that the trends for all categories are described more comprehensively and that the data is synthesized rather than just listed. The overview is present but could be more detailed regarding the overall trends observed over the decade.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In contrast' is used twice in close proximity). The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'the proportion of that USA people', which is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'proportion of USA people' and 'eat fast food at restaurants' repeatedly. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'on the regular basis' (should be 'on a regular basis') and 'higher than the other aspects' (which is vague). To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for', and avoid repetitive sentence structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the clarity of your writing. Examples include 'the highest percentage of USA people is that who prefer' (incorrect relative clause usage) and 'there are approximately 33 percent people of USA' (awkward phrasing). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct sentence construction will help improve your accuracy.

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

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