Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-11
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 graph illustrates the comparison between different type of fast food restaurants in USA between 2003 and 2013.
Overall, once a week and once or twice a month fast food consumer restaurants has considerably highest over the period. while, every day user and never show least prefer.
Firstly, once a week vast majority of proportion at 34% in 2006. while most people consume once or twice a month within at 34% in 2013. Once a week has significantly show 31% in 3003 and 23% in 2013 . the once or twice a month in 2003 around 30% people consume while 25% in 2006.
The every day and never has less. show under 3,4 %. Several times a week has significantly grew in 2006 at 20% whereases 17% in 2003 and 16% in 2013. In the year of 2003 the few times a year proportion was equally reached a peak at 15% in 2006 and 2013 however, in 2003 represent less than 13%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the chart, such as identifying the most and least frequent categories. However, the data reporting is often inaccurate or confusing. For example, stating '3003' instead of 2003 and misinterpreting the percentages (e.g., 'under 3,4 %') makes the information difficult to follow. While you have attempted to select key features, the lack of precision in reporting the data points and the failure to clearly compare the trends across the three years (2003, 2006, 2013) limits the development of the response. To improve, ensure that all data points are transcribed accurately and that comparisons are explicitly linked to the years provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently interrupted by awkward phrasing and unclear referencing. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly' and 'Overall', the connections between sentences are often mechanical or confusing. For instance, the transition 'while most people consume once or twice a month within at 34% in 2013' lacks clarity. The use of referencing is also problematic, as it is often unclear which category or year is being discussed. To improve, focus on using cohesive devices to link ideas more naturally and ensure that each sentence follows logically from the previous one.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'consume' and 'proportion' without much variation. There are also significant issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'fast food consumer restaurants has considerably highest' and 'significantly grew'. These errors sometimes impede the reader's understanding of the data. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary related to trends and data, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'a marginal increase', and ensure that words are used in their correct grammatical context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that affect readability. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'fast food consumer restaurants has'), incorrect verb tenses, and missing articles. Sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex structures often result in errors, such as 'whereases 17% in 2003 and 16% in 2013'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with misplaced commas and periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subjects and verbs agree, and using articles correctly. Proofreading for these fundamental errors will significantly improve the clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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