Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-28

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 the frequency with which people in the USA ate at fast-food restaurants in 2003, 2006 and 2013.

Overall, eating at fast-food restaurants once a week and once or twice a month were the most common frequencies during the period. While the proportion of people eating fast food every day declined, the percentage eating it once or twice a month increased considerably by 2013.

In 2003, around 31% of people ate fast food once a week, making this the most common frequency, followed by once or twice a month at approximately 29%. The proportion eating fast food several times a week stood at about 17%, while only 4% ate it every day. In 2006, the figure for once a week increased slightly to around 33%, whereas the percentage eating once or twice a month fell to approximately 25%. Similarly, the proportion eating fast food several times a week rose to 20%.

By 2013, the percentage of people eating fast food once or twice a month had increased considerably to about 33%, making it the most common frequency, while the figure for once a week declined to approximately 28%. The proportion eating fast food several times a week also fell slightly to around 16%. Meanwhile, about 15% of people ate fast food only a few times a year in both 2006 and 2013. Those who ate it every day accounted for roughly 3% in 2013, while the percentage who never ate fast food decreased gradually from 5% in 2003 to 3% in 2013.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate overview of the main trends and selecting key data points effectively. The response accurately notes that eating once a week and once or twice a month were the dominant frequencies and tracks shifts such as the increase in monthly fast food consumption by 2013. The figures cited, such as around 31% in 2003 for weekly consumption and 33% by 2013 for monthly consumption, are faithful to the chart data. The comparisons between years are clearly drawn. The response meets all requirements for a Band 8 level in Task Achievement by presenting a well-developed and fully supported set of observations without omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. An introductory paragraph establishes the context, followed by a succinct overview paragraph and well-structured body paragraphs detailing the specific years and categories. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'whereas', 'Similarly', 'Meanwhile', and 'By 2013' are used appropriately and flexibly to signal time and contrast. Paragraphing is logical, grouping 2003 and 2006 data appropriately before transitioning to the 2013 data and remaining categories. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a seamless and coherent reading experience that aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suited to academic reporting. Phrases like 'proportion of people', 'considerably', 'accounted for', and 'declined' are used accurately. There is successful usage of less common lexical items and collocation, such as 'dominant frequencies' and 'gradually decreased'. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-formation errors. While it lacks the absolute natural sophistication of a Band 8 or 9 response, it easily satisfies the criteria for Band 7 through precise and varied language use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses ('While the proportion of people eating fast food every day declined...') and participial phrases. Control of grammar and punctuation is strong, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Tense consistency is maintained when discussing past data from the chart years (2003, 2006, 2013). There are only very occasional minor slips, but these do not impede communication at all. The grammatical range and accuracy comfortably support a Band 8 rating.

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