Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-02

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 provided bar chart compares the frequency of eating at fast food restaurants in the USA from 2003 to 2013.

Overall, 2006 accounts for the highest proportion of people eating once a week, while people eating once or twice a month at fast food restaurants had the highest portion in 2013. On the other hand, percentage of people going to fast food restaurants everyday illustrates the lowest figures in all three years.

In 2003, the largest percentage of people was 31% who went to restaurants only once a week, followed by people eating once or twice a month at 30%. Around 17% of the US citizens ate several times a week, whereas the number is much lower for people eating a few times a year and people never eating, at 13% and 5% respectively. However, everyday visitors accounted for less than 5%, the lowest figure in that year.

Similarly, in 2006, again the visitors eating once a week peaks at 33%, followed by 25% for visitors once or twice a month. Moreover, 20% ate several times a week and 15% age a few times a week. The proportion was less then 5% for both every day visitors and people who never ate at fast food restaurants.

Finally, in 2013, the figure increased to 33% for people eating once or twice a month, while the number decresed to 28%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the chart, but it is incomplete. The final paragraph is cut off mid-sentence ('while the number decresed to 28%'), meaning the 2013 data is not fully reported or compared. While you identified key trends, the failure to complete the summary significantly impacts the task achievement. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a full overview and complete all comparisons for every year mentioned. The overview provided in the second paragraph is clear, but the lack of a concluding summary for the final year prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs for each year. You use cohesive devices such as 'Similarly,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Finally' to guide the reader. However, the abrupt ending disrupts the flow of the final paragraph. Referencing is generally clear, though the transition between the 2006 and 2013 data is incomplete. To improve, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that the logical progression is maintained until the very end of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion,' 'illustrates,' and 'accounted for.' There are some minor errors, such as 'age a few times a week' (likely a typo for 'ate') and 'less then' (should be 'less than'). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the variety and precision required for higher bands. To improve, try to use more varied synonyms for 'increase' and 'decrease' and ensure you proofread for small spelling or word-choice slips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The provided bar chart compares...' and '...while people eating once or twice a month... had the highest portion.' There are some grammatical errors, such as 'percentage of people going... illustrates' (should be 'the percentage'), and the spelling error 'decresed.' While these errors do not generally impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and proofreading for common spelling mistakes to enhance the accuracy of your writing.

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

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