Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-25
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 bar graph illustrates the frequency of eating at fast food restaurants among people in the USA from 2003 to 2013. The data has been measured in percentage.
Overall, individuals ate fast food once a week showed highest percentage throughout the period, while frequency of every day eater demonstrated lowest proportion in the same period.
Initially, frequency of once a week showed a fluctuate difference in 10 period. In 2003, it showed above 30% but in 2006, it increased slightly and reached 33% after this it fell at 28%. Subsequently, once or twice a month displayed an increasing trend. In 2003, it is in 30% but in 2013 it increased marginally was 33%. Moreover, eating fast food of several times a week showed decreased percentage, it only rise up in 2003.
Furthermore, a few times a year showed the frequency of fast food 15% during this period. In addition, every day and never frequency depicted minimum percentile in this 10 period. Necer showed 4% nevertheless every day was the lowest trend at 2 percent.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers most parts of the task by reporting the main features of the chart, such as the highest and lowest categories ('once a week' and 'every day'/'never'). An overview is attempted, noting the dominant category and the least frequent ones. However, there are several data inaccuracies and unsupported claims. For instance, the student states that 'once or twice a month' was 30% in 2003 (correct) but then says it 'increased marginally was 33%' in 2013, whereas the chart shows it went to 33%. Furthermore, the description of 'several times a week' is confusing and misinterprets the data trends, claiming it 'showed decreased percentage, it only rise up in 2003'. Overall, ideas are presented, but precision in reporting data needs improvement to achieve a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has an overall structure consisting of an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific data points. Cohesive devices are attempted (e.g., 'Overall', 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore'), but their use is frequently mechanical, awkward, or inaccurate in context, such as 'Initially, frequency of once a week showed a fluctuate difference in 10 period.' Paragraphing is used, but the logical progression within paragraphs is disrupted by confusing sentence structures and unclear referencing (e.g., 'it is in 30%'). While the text is readable, the overall organisation lacks seamless progression.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the topic, including words like 'frequency', 'proportion', 'fluctuate', and 'trend'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'demonstrated lowest proportion', 'fluctuate difference', and 'minimum percentile'. Spelling errors also occur, such as 'Necer' instead of 'Never'. Less common items are attempted, but lack precision and collocation awareness, which restricts the lexical score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms (e.g., subordinate clauses with 'while' and 'after this'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions (e.g., 'individuals ate fast food once a week showed', 'it is in 30%', 'it only rise up'). Punctuation is basic, and some sentences are awkward or grammatically incomplete, causing occasional difficulty for the reader. The proportion of error-free sentences is too low for a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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