Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-24

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

Overall, once a week in 2006, has the highest proportion throughout the period. While, every day eating had the lowest.

To begin with, every day and never both had same numbers. In 2003, around 4% people eat fast food every dayand 5% people never try. However, percentage of every day eaten and never ate in 2006 and 2013 remain same around 3% and 4% respectively.

Furthermore, Moreover, several times a week had much higher percentage then every day. In 2003, 17%, in 2006, 20% and in 2013, 16%. A few times a year also had lower percentages such as in 2003, 13% in 2006 and 2013, percentage remain same around 15%. Once a week and once or twice a month had the highest proportion throughout the period which is more then 25% and below then 33%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the chart’s subject and include several relevant figures, including the rise in weekly fast-food visits from 17% to 20% and then 16%, and the increase in monthly visits to 33% by 2013. However, the overview is not fully accurate: once a week is highest only in 2003 and 2006, while once or twice a month is highest in 2013. The claim that daily eating was the lowest is also incomplete, since “never” is lower in 2006 and 2013. Some comparisons are vague, and the response does not reach the required 150 words; it contains 139 words, with 15 words copied from the prompt excluded. A more precise overview and fuller reporting of the main changes would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs, so there is some organisation, and the reader can identify the categories being discussed. However, the progression is not consistently clear. The overview’s “While” begins an incomplete contrast, and the final paragraph moves between several categories without a clear order. “Furthermore, Moreover” uses two linking expressions together, while “To begin with” and “Furthermore” do not always clarify how the details relate. Group the categories logically—for example, frequent visits, monthly visits, and the least frequent responses—and use one accurate connector at a time. Clearer paragraph development and more precise referencing would make the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary such as “percentage,” “proportion,” and “throughout the period,” and the frequency labels help communicate the data. However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the report awkward: “every day eating,” “never try,” and “had much higher percentage then every day” are not natural ways to describe the categories. Repetition of “percentage” and “highest proportion” also limits flexibility. Choose concise, conventional reporting phrases such as “the share of people who ate out” and “accounted for,” and use the category labels consistently. Check spelling and word forms, particularly “than” when making comparisons.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, such as “While, every day eating had the lowest,” but the range is limited and complex constructions are often faulty. The opening overview contains a sentence fragment beginning with “While,” and the comma after “2006” in “once a week in 2006, has” disrupts the sentence. There are also errors in articles, agreement and verb forms, as in “4% people eat” and “percentage … remain same.” Missing spaces and punctuation, including “every dayand,” further affect accuracy. Practise complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use consistent past-tense forms when reporting the years shown.

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.