Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-25
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 provided bar graph illustrates the information regarding the frequency having fast food in restaurants of people from the USA between 2003 and 2013.The data yielded in the percentage.
Overall, it is evident that in the bar chart most of people visit at the fast food restaurants once a week and once or twice a month.Also, the least number of people ate at the restaurants.
In year 2003, the significant people ate at the fast food restaurants once a week, which was accounted approximately 31%. While in same year the percentage had been dropped by 1% by people in once or twice a month. Also, least number of people went to restaurants every day and never which is represented nearby 5% each.
Furthermore, in the year 2006 less than 5% and around 4% of people ate in everyday and never,respectively. Visiting the restaurants in once a week by the high portion of people which was represented about 35%. Moreover, in once or twice a months numerous people ate at the restaurants during 2013.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the task by summarizing the main features of the chart. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks precision. For instance, the statement 'the least number of people ate at the restaurants' is vague and does not specify which categories are being referred to. While the main trends are identified, the comparison between years is inconsistent, and some data points are described unclearly, such as 'the significant people' or 'nearby 5%'. To improve, ensure that all data points are clearly linked to their respective categories and years, and avoid vague quantifiers that do not accurately represent the statistical information provided in the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the abrupt transition 'Also, the least number of people ate at the restaurants' which lacks a clear connection to the previous sentence. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to track which data points are being compared. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the one before it to create a smoother flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, often relying on basic phrasing. There are several instances of awkward word choices and incorrect collocations, such as 'The data yielded in the percentage' and 'the significant people'. The phrase 'nearby 5%' is also an incorrect usage of the word 'nearby' in this context. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of precision and the reliance on simple vocabulary prevent the response from demonstrating a wider range. Incorporating more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for', would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect article usage (e.g., 'in year 2003'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'the percentage had been dropped'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'Visiting the restaurants in once a week by the high portion of people'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like verb tense consistency and article placement. Increasing the variety of error-free complex sentences will also help improve the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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