Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-01

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 graph chart illustrate how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013

overall, the frequency of eating fast food in USA was higher i once or twice a month ,while every day was the lowest

In details,on the one hand the proportion of fast food in USA once a weak is above except 30 % as well as once or twice a month in 2003 ,2006, 2013 and several time a weak was closed to 20 % in the same years that mention in chart

furthermore, on the other hand a few time a year was reached 15% in 2006 ans 2013 , while in 2003 was closed to 15 morever, everyday and never was below 5 in same years but in 2003 the ratio of never was reached 5%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response attempts to address the prompt by summarising the main features of the chart, but it only partially covers the data. While it mentions categories like once or twice a month and every day, key details are inaccurate or incomplete, such as misinterpreting the peak percentages and confusing trends across the years. Furthermore, the response fails to meet the minimum word length requirement of 150 words, stopping short at 137 words, which restricts the depth of coverage. To reach a higher band, the writer must ensure all data points are accurately transcribed and reported, select more relevant comparisons, and meet the required word count to ensure full development of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation evident in the writing, starting with an introductory sentence and attempting to group details, but there is no clear overall progression. The response lacks proper paragraphing, being presented as a single dense block of text with run-on sentences. Cohesive devices are either missing or used inaccurately, with awkward transition phrases like 'In details,on the one hand' and 'furthermore, on the other hand' that do not logically structure the comparison. Pronoun referencing and signposting are weak, making the flow difficult to follow. To improve, the writer needs to divide the text into logical paragraphs, use cohesive devices more naturally, and establish a clear, structured progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic, repetitive, and minimally adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary related to data trends, but these attempts are marred by frequent spelling and word choice errors, such as 'illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'weak' instead of 'week', 'closed' instead of 'close', and 'morever' instead of 'moreover'. These inaccuracies, along with repetitive phrasing, restrict the lexical range. To achieve a higher score, the writer must expand their vocabulary range, use precise terms for describing statistical data, and ensure accurate spelling and word formation throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The writing displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences with frequent structural errors. There are numerous basic errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, such as 'the graph chart illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'eating fast food in USA was higher i once or twice a month' instead of 'at', and missing articles like 'in USA'. Complex sentence attempts are faulty and awkward, leading to frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader and obscure the intended meaning. To improve, the writer needs to focus on mastering basic sentence construction, correct use of articles and prepositions, and accurate verb agreement.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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