Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-13

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 5.5)

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

Overall, it was clear that in dinner the residents of USA consumed all types of nutrients in higher percentage except added sugar, while in breakfast the percentage of these nutrients declined.

First, the nutrient sodium accounted for the largest percentage in night as 43%, in lunch nutrient consumed by 29% and in breakfast and snack shared the equal percentages as 14%.While, the nutrient saturated fat consumed in higher percentage in night for 37%, whilst in lunch for 26% as in snack 21% and breakfast contained this nutrient in a lesser percentage.

Moreover, the consumer consumed added sugar in least percentage in breakfast like in other nutrients for 16% but in snacks it took by residents in significant percentage by 42%, in dinner it contained 23% and simultaneously lunch hold 19% nutrients added sugar.Thus, the residents of USA consumed more sodium ,saturated fat in night and added sugar in snack.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover all three nutrients and report the main meal patterns accurately: dinner has the highest shares of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks lead for added sugar (42%). You also include relevant comparisons, such as sodium being equal at breakfast and snacks. The overview identifies the key contrast, but “in dinner the residents of USA consumed all types of nutrients in higher percentage except added sugar” is imprecise: dinner is not highest for added sugar, and breakfast is not uniformly the lowest because snack sodium is also 14%. The body gives useful figures, though some comparisons are less clearly expressed. To strengthen the response, make the overview more exact and compare the three nutrients across meals more directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group sodium and saturated fat before discussing added sugar. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression within sentences is sometimes awkward, and linking words do not always clarify relationships. For example, “While” begins a fragment-like transition after the sodium figures, and “Thus” repeats the overview rather than drawing together a new comparison. The repeated use of “in” and “percentage” also makes the account feel mechanical. Use clearer topic sentences and organise comparisons consistently by meal or nutrient; ensure each connector joins complete, logically related clauses.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “accounted for,” “percentage,” “consumed,” and “significant,” and the reader can generally identify the nutrient and meal being discussed. However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “in night,” “shared the equal percentages,” “it took by residents,” and “lunch hold 19% nutrients added sugar.” Repetition of “nutrient,” “percentage,” and “consumed” also limits flexibility. Choose precise reporting language such as “the proportion of sodium,” “was highest at dinner,” and “made up 42% of snack intake.” This would make the comparisons more concise and natural while preserving the meaning of the figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the overview clause “while in breakfast…” and the contrast introduced with “whilst.” The main comparisons are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “in dinner the residents of USA consumed all types of nutrients in higher percentage” has problems with articles and sentence construction, while “in lunch nutrient consumed by 29%” lacks a clear subject and verb. The sentence beginning “While, the nutrient saturated fat…” is also not a complete, well-punctuated clause. Work on complete sentence patterns, articles, and subject–verb structure, and avoid joining clauses with a comma or an incomplete “while” construction. More accurate control would make your range easier to follow.

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