Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-12
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 charts below shows the average percentage of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.
On the one hand, in dinner sodium has comparatively more sodium around 43% among all the other salts. But in breakfast sodium is dramatically lower then any other salt around 14% in breakfast.
On the other hand, in snack added sugar is significantly higher then other around 42%. In second position saturated fat is 21% in snack. But sodium is comparatively lower in snack it is around 14%. In breakfast all three salts are comparatively equal. Sodium is 14%. Saturated fat is 16% and same added sugar is also 16%.
Although, last meal which is left is lunch in which sodium is higher is percentage comparing to other salts such as sodium is 29% and saturated fat is 26% and rest is added sugar which is 19% according to provided data in the chart
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
You identify several important figures accurately, including dinner sodium at 43%, snack added sugar at 42%, and the lunch values. However, the response has no clear overall summary of the main pattern across all three nutrients, and some comparisons are imprecise: for example, breakfast sodium is not lower than every other nutrient there, since saturated fat and added sugar are both 16%. The phrase “among all the other salts” also misrepresents the categories, which are nutrients. The report is under the required 150 words (141 words, with 14 prompt words excluded), so it does not fully meet the task requirement. Add a concise overview and develop the key contrasts more clearly.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into paragraphs and uses signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “Although,” which gives the reader some sense of organisation. However, the progression is not consistently logical: the discussion moves between meals and nutrients without a clear organising principle, and “Although, last meal which is left is lunch” makes the final paragraph feel like an afterthought. Repeated “But” and “in” constructions also make the linking mechanical, while “other salts” leaves the comparison unclear. Group the information by the main patterns—for example, dinner and snack peaks, followed by the lower breakfast and lunch figures—and use simpler, more precise transitions.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “average percentage,” “comparatively,” and “significantly higher,” and the reader can generally identify the nutrients and meals being compared. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or repetitive. “Salts” is not an appropriate substitute for nutrients, and “in second position” is an awkward way to rank the snack figures. Phrases such as “higher is percentage” and “same added sugar” also make the comparisons less natural. Aim for precise reporting language such as “accounted for,” “the highest proportion,” and “followed by,” while varying repeated words like “higher” and “around.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response includes simple statements and attempts some longer comparative sentences, but control is inconsistent. The opening has a subject–verb agreement error: “The charts below shows” should be “The charts below show.” Other problems include “lower then” where a comparison requires “lower than,” “sodium is higher is percentage,” and the incomplete or awkward construction “Although, last meal which is left is lunch.” These errors sometimes make relationships between figures difficult to follow. Use straightforward sentence patterns first, checking agreement and comparative forms, then add a limited number of complex sentences with accurate clauses. Punctuation after linking words also needs attention.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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