Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-26

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 7.5)

The bar chart illustrates how frequently people in the USA ate at fast food restaurants in 2003, 2006 and 2013.

Overall, it is clear that eating fast food once a week or once or twice a month was the most common in all three years. In contrast, only a small proportion of people ate fast food every day or never. There were also some changes in the frequency of fast-food consumption over the period.

In 2003, approximately 4% of people ate at fast food restaurants every day, while around 17% did so several times a week. The largest proportion, at about 30%, ate fast food once a week. A similar percentage, roughly 30%, ate there once or twice a month. About 13% visited these restaurants a few times a year, and around 4% never ate fast food.

In 2006, the figure for people eating fast food once a week increased slightly to approximately 33%, making it the highest figure on the chart. The proportion eating once or twice a month, however, fell to about 25%. Meanwhile, the percentage eating several times a week rose to 20%. The figures for eating every day and never eating fast food were both around 3%.

By 2013, the percentage of people eating fast food once or twice a month had risen significantly to approximately 33%, becoming the highest figure. The proportion eating once a week fell to about 28%, while those eating several times a week decreased slightly to around 16%. The figures for eating a few times a year and every day remained relatively low, at about 14% and 3%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and highlighting key trends and comparisons from the bar chart. The main features, such as the predominance of eating fast food once a week or monthly, are clearly identified and supported with accurate data from the chart, like the 33% figures in 2006 and 2013. The response is fully grounded in the provided visual data, with no invented or misread figures. The student successfully satisfies all requirements of Academic Task 1, demonstrating a well-developed approach to summarizing graphical information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction to the overview and then through the chronological body paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used effectively without being obtrusive, seen in phrases like 'In contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'By 2013,' which help guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct and clear function in structuring the report. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a data-reporting task. Phrases such as 'small proportion,' 'highest figure,' 'rose significantly,' and 'remained relatively low' show good control over less common lexical items and collocations. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The vocabulary allows the student to convey precise trends and proportions effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside accurate simple sentences. Clauses are well-managed, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. The majority of sentences are error-free, with strong control over verb tenses used to describe past data from 2003 to 2013. Only very occasional minor slips might occur, but grammar and punctuation overall support clear and fluent communication, comfortably placing this text in the Band 8 category.

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