Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-20

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 chart illustrates the proportion how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013.

Overall it is clear that the proportion of fast food among the individual every day were the least popular, while once a week had the highest category.However other categories Once or twice a month or several times a week are also seen common in people. A few times a year and never notice a deliced.

In 2003, looking at a bar chart demonstartes percentage of fast food among individual accounted for 32%,it figures rose to 34% in 2006 and declined at 27% in 2013, followed by this once or twice a month represented at 30% in 2003 its figure sharply fell at 25% increased significantly at 33% in 2013.However several times a week at 12% rose to 20% in 2006 dropped at 16% in 2013.

In contrast, a few times a year approximately at 12% in 2003,remaind same in both years at 15%.In addition,every day was the smallest catagory aroound 4% in 2003,3% in 2006 and 2013.Furthermore Never accounted for 5% and 3 % p

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main pattern that eating fast food once a week was the most common frequency in 2003 and 2006, while once or twice a month became the leading category in 2013. You also report several relevant changes, including the monthly figure rising to 33% and the weekly figure falling by 2013. However, some figures are inaccurate: once a week is about 31%, 33% and 28%, rather than 32%, 34% and 27%; several times a week begins at 17%, not 12%; and “never” is about 4.5%, 3.5% and 3.5%. The overview also says “a few times a year and never notice a deliced,” which is unclear and does not convey their broadly lower levels. More precise reporting and a clearer overview would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and paragraphs reporting figures. It also groups several categories together, and transitions such as “In contrast” and “Furthermore” show an attempt to connect information. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because several categories and years are compressed into long sentences. The overview’s “A few times a year and never notice a deliced” is unclear, and the final sentence stops at “3 % p,” leaving the last comparison incomplete. Some linking words, including “However” and “In addition,” are used mechanically rather than to express a clear relationship. Organise the details into clearer comparisons and ensure each sentence and the conclusion of the response are complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “accounted for,” “rose,” “declined” and “represented,” which helps communicate changes over time. There is some variety in how you describe increases and decreases. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “the proportion of fast food among the individual,” “the smallest catagory,” and “notice a deliced.” Spelling errors such as “demonstartes,” “remaind” and “aroound” also reduce precision. Some phrases repeat “figure” without adding clarity. Aim for accurate, natural expressions for the share of people in each category, and check spelling and word forms carefully. This would make the data easier to understand without requiring the reader to interpret awkward wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including comparisons across years, and the reader can generally identify the intended trends. However, errors in sentence construction and grammatical relationships are noticeable. For example, “The bar chart illustrates the proportion how frequently” needs a structure such as “illustrates how frequently,” while “the proportion … were the least popular” has a subject–verb agreement problem. Several clauses are joined without adequate punctuation, as in “it figures rose to 34% in 2006 and declined at 27% in 2013, followed by this…”. Articles and prepositions are also sometimes missing or unsuitable. Use shorter, complete sentences when reporting multiple figures, and check agreement, clause boundaries and punctuation.

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