Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-21

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 4.5)

In the USA the people eat fast food at restaurants. In 2003 everyday maximum 4% people eat fast food, similarly in 2006 3% people eat fast food and in 2013 same as in 2006 the number of fast food eater remains same as in 2006. In 2003 several times a week maximum 17% of people eat fast food. In 2006 20% people eat fast food and in 2013 16% people eat fast food. Then in once a wwek in 2003 maximum 31% of people eat fast food in USA. Similarly, once a week in 2006 maximum 34% people eat fast food and in 2013 once a week maximum 28% people eat fast food. In 2003,2006 and 2013 as once or twise a month 30%, 25% and maximum 34% of people eat fast food. A few times a year people 13%, 15% and 15%eat fast food in 2003,2006 and 2013.These are the number of people that eat fast food in weeks, months or in years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You report several relevant figures across all three years, including the low daily proportions and the changes in weekly and monthly dining. However, the response mainly lists data rather than summarising the chart’s main features, and it gives no clear overview of the overall pattern. Some figures are inaccurate: for example, once a week in 2006 is about 33%, not 34%, and once or twice a month in 2013 is about 33%, not 34%. The chart also shows that this monthly category became the most common in 2013, an important comparison that could be stated clearly. The “Never” category is omitted. To improve, select the key highs, lows and changes, and distinguish them from less important details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response follows the chart categories in a generally understandable order, moving from daily eating through yearly frequency, and it uses basic time markers such as “In 2003” and “In 2006.” However, the information is presented as one continuous block, with no clear overview or paragraphing to guide the reader. Repeated wording such as “people eat fast food” and “maximum” makes the progression feel list-like rather than organised around comparisons. Some links are also unclear, particularly “In 2003,2006 and 2013 as once or twise a month.” Group the information into an introduction, an overview, and comparison paragraphs, and use linking phrases such as “by contrast” or “whereas” to show how the years differ.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough basic vocabulary to identify the chart’s categories and report proportions, including “everyday,” “several times a week,” and “a few times a year.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated or imprecise. “Maximum” is used where you mean a percentage or a peak, and “number of fast food eater” is not a natural way to describe the data. There are also spelling errors in “wwek” and “twise,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise reporting language and vary the wording—for example, describe a figure as a “proportion” and say that a category “accounted for” a percentage. This would make the summary clearer and more appropriate to an academic chart report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Most sentences use simple reporting patterns, but there is little variety in sentence structure, and errors occur frequently enough to make some statements awkward or unclear. For example, “In 2003 everyday maximum 4% people eat fast food” lacks a clear grammatical structure, while “the number of fast food eater remains same as in 2006” has problems with articles, number agreement and verb form. The sentence beginning “In 2003,2006 and 2013 as once or twise a month” is also difficult to follow because the comparison is not formed correctly. Practise complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use consistent past-tense reporting, such as “In 2003, 31% ate fast food once a week.”

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.