Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given bar chart compares the frequency of consuming at fast food restaurants changed in America from 2003 to 2013.
It is clear that the percentage of people who consume fast food once a week was highest. In contrast, every day going people had the lowest percentage throughout the entire period.
In 2003, the percentage of people who went restaurants to eat fast food was around 32%. This figure increased slightly to 33% in 2006 and decreased to about 27% in 2013. In contrast the figure for once or twice a month was 30% in 2003 and decreased to 255 in 2006. Then this figure picked up again and reached about 33% in 2013.
In terms of several times a week showed a stark difference with 17%, @)% and 16% from 2003 to 2013. The time everyday and never showed almost similar percentages which was below 5% throughout the entire period. Then a few times rea
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a general overview and selects some main features, but the analysis is incomplete and contains significant inaccuracies. For example, the data for 'once or twice a month' is cited as '255' in 2006, which is clearly a typographical error and misrepresentation of the chart. Furthermore, the final paragraph is incomplete, ending abruptly with 'a few times rea', which prevents a full summary of all categories. While the main trends are identified, the lack of data precision and the unfinished nature of the response mean that not all parts of the task are fully addressed, resulting in a lower band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In contrast' and 'In terms of', but they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. For instance, the transition 'In terms of several times a week showed a stark difference' is grammatically awkward and lacks a clear subject. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the abrupt ending significantly disrupts the overall flow and coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and contains several errors. Phrases like 'every day going people' are unnatural and imprecise. There are also issues with numerical representation, such as '255' instead of a percentage. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, you should focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'accounted for', rather than repeating 'percentage' and 'figure' frequently.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede readability. Examples include 'consuming at fast food restaurants changed' (incorrect verb structure) and 'The time everyday and never showed almost similar percentages' (awkward phrasing). There are also punctuation and typographical errors, such as '@)%' and the incomplete sentence at the end. While the meaning is generally discernible, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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