Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-25

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 compares the information about the amount of individuals in USA eating fast food at restaurants since 2003-13.

Due to the chart in the time of 2006 people were more likely to eat out once a week approximately 35%. On the other hand in 2003 almost 35% of total were having once a week dine out. Moreover, in 2013 less than 30% people ordering food once a week. Turning to the twice a week 2013 ranked at first ( 36%) and 2003 stood at second place (30%) or the last 2006 at third place (25%).

The 25% percentage of people were eating several times a week in 2006 .However, 18% of individuals were mentioned in 2003 and 16% population were identified in 2013.In contrast the citizens were enjoying a meal at restaurants on daily basis. The figure stood as 4% in 2003.The figure was recorded at 2% in 2006 and again in 2013. The 15% of total population going out to dinner in 2006 and 2013. Whereas, in year of 2003 it is marked below than 15%. Lastly the general public never went to restaurants were less than 5% in 2006 and 2013 but in 2003 they accounted as 5% of total.

In conclusion, The percentage of people who ate out increased in 2006 and 2013 relative to 2003.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and report several relevant categories, including weekly, monthly, daily and never eating fast food. However, the account is only partly accurate and the overview is unclear. For example, you say the 2006 weekly figure was “approximately 35%” and the 2003 figure “almost 35%,” whereas both are closer to 33% and 31%; you also describe the monthly figures as “twice a week,” changing the category. The conclusion that eating out increased in 2006 and 2013 is not supported across the chart: the most common frequency shifts from once a week to once or twice a month by 2013. Select the main pattern accurately and compare the leading categories.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to data details and a conclusion, and connectors such as “On the other hand,” “Moreover” and “Lastly” show an attempt to link information. However, the progression between categories is difficult to follow: the second paragraph moves from weekly to monthly, then back to several times a week and daily, without a clear grouping. Some linking phrases do not express the relationship accurately, and the final conclusion repeats a broad claim rather than summarising the key shift. Organise the body by meaningful comparisons—for example, the most frequent categories first, followed by the less common ones—and use clear references to each year.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of task-related expressions, including “accounted,” “ranked” and “figure stood,” and the reader can generally identify the categories being discussed. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, sometimes making the data harder to interpret. “Amount of individuals” is unsuitable for people, while “twice a week” mislabels the chart’s “once or twice a month” category. Phrases such as “the citizens were enjoying a meal” and “were mentioned” are also unnatural for describing statistical data. Prefer precise, neutral reporting language and repeat the chart’s category labels accurately; this will improve clarity without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, such as “Whereas, in year of 2003…” and “On the other hand…,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in sentence structure, agreement and articles occur frequently: “The 25% percentage of people were eating” has an awkward subject and verb, and “the general public never went to restaurants were less than 5%” combines clauses incorrectly. There are also problems with tense and punctuation, including inconsistent spacing around full stops and commas. These errors sometimes make relationships between figures unclear. Build accurate short comparison sentences first, then add subordinate clauses only when the grammar remains controlled.

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