Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The pie chart demonstrates the minimium amount of three types of nutrients meals, consumed in the USA this may be unhealthy if it taken more than needed.

Overall, average percentages of sodium, saturated and added sugars in every meals which is divided into four sections. The massive part in three typical meals is dinner in both sodium and snack in sugar intake. Breakfast contributed less amount in the meals but, sodium meal is with same less as breakfast is snack consumption.

In typical meals, compared to all meals 43 percentage is the highest part and least 14 percentage in both snack and breakfast in sodium. In saturated fat and added sugar where dinner is with 37% and 23%. Snacks intake is more in added sugar with 42% and about lunch have 19% in this meal it is lower than other two meals. Snacks part is increased 14% is least in sodium, 21% is in saturated fat and 42% in added sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important features, including dinner’s high shares of sodium and saturated fat, and the particularly high added-sugar figure for snacks. The figures you give—43% for dinner sodium, 37% for dinner saturated fat, and 42% for snack added sugar—match the chart. However, the overview is unclear and includes an inaccurate claim: “the massive part in three typical meals is dinner” does not apply to added sugar, where snacks lead. Some comparisons are also incomplete; for example, you mention dinner’s 23% added sugar but do not clearly compare it with the other meal categories. A clearer overview of the contrasting patterns, followed by more precise comparisons across all three nutrients, would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an introduction, an attempted overview, and a paragraph with figures, so there is some organisation. However, the progression is difficult to follow because ideas are repeated or placed together without clear relationships. For instance, the final paragraph moves from sodium to saturated fat and added sugar, then returns to snack percentages across all nutrients. Phrases such as “In typical meals, compared to all meals” and “in this meal it is lower than other two meals” do not make the comparisons easy to track. Use one paragraph for the main overview and organise the details by nutrient or by meal, with clear linking phrases and references. This would create a more logical sequence and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “contributed,” “intake,” and “consumption,” and the reader can generally identify the nutrients and meal categories being discussed. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning unclear. “Minimium amount” does not describe what the chart shows, while “the massive part” and “sodium meal” are not natural ways to report proportions. There is also repetition of “meal” and “snack.” Aim for precise terms such as “share,” “proportion,” and “accounted for,” and use “added sugar” consistently rather than “added sugars” when naming the chart category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, but control is uneven, and errors in sentence construction, agreement, and articles sometimes make the report difficult to understand. For example, “three types of nutrients meals” lacks a clear grammatical relationship, and “this may be unhealthy if it taken more than needed” is missing a verb form. The overview sentence beginning “Overall, average percentages…” is also incomplete, while “Breakfast contributed less amount” has an unclear structure. Work on forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles and agreement—for example, “each meal” rather than “every meals.” More accurate sentence patterns would help communicate your comparisons.

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

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