Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-30

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 given bar graph illustrates frequency of USA citizens fast food habit between 2003 and 2013.

Overall, it can be seen that most of the people had fast food once or twice a month followed by once a week. However, few people choose to have fast food on a daily basis.

Looking at the year 2003, it is clear that only 4% people had fast food every day where this figure increased dramatically at almost 17% who had fast food several times a week.Additionally, 31% American people went to restaurants for fast food once a week, which is the highest margin on that year. This amount decliened at 30% who ate fast food once or twice a month after that it decreased significantly at 13% and 5% who had fast food a few times a year and never respectively.

Turning to the year 2006, it is evident that the smallest number of people had fast food every day similar to the year 2003. It continued to increased and reach at peak at 33

5

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad pattern that monthly and weekly visits were most common, and that daily visits were uncommon. However, the report is incomplete: it stops while describing 2006 and gives no account of 2013, so the main changes across the full period are not summarised. Some figures are also inaccurate or unclear: in 2003, “never” was about 4.5%, not 5%, and the claim that the 17% figure “increased dramatically” is unsupported because no earlier comparison is given. Include a concise overview of the key shifts, then compare the three years accurately—for example, monthly visits rose to a peak in 2013 while weekly visits declined.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs beginning “Looking at the year 2003” and “Turning to the year 2006.” These time markers help the reader follow the sequence. However, progression is weakened because the account ends partway through the 2006 description and does not move on to 2013. Some linking is also awkward or repetitive: “This amount declined … after that it decreased” repeats the same relationship, while “where” does not clearly connect the figures. Complete the comparison in a planned order, grouping the most important trends rather than listing every category in sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary such as “frequency,” “daily basis,” “once a week,” and “peak,” so the topic is generally clear. There is some variety in reporting change, including “increased,” “declined,” and “decreased significantly.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “USA citizens fast food habit,” “highest margin,” and “American people went to restaurants for fast food.” Spelling errors, including “decliened,” also reduce accuracy. Use precise chart language such as “the proportion of Americans,” “the highest figure,” and “the share of people eating out,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including “Overall, it can be seen that…” and the relative clause “who had fast food several times a week.” The main meaning is usually understandable, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms are noticeable. For example, “It continued to increased and reach at peak” has incorrect verb forms and an awkward pattern; write “It continued to increase, reaching a peak.” There are also missing articles or plural markers in “only 4% people,” and punctuation is missing after “week” before “Additionally.” Practise accurate comparative sentences and check agreement, articles, and punctuation when joining clauses.

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