Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-26

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 8.5)

The pie charts compare the average proportions of three nutrients such as sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in four typical meals consumed in the USA, namely breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Overall, dinner contains the highest percentages of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks account for the largest proportion of added sugar. In contrast, breakfast consistently contributes the lowest percentages across all three nutrients.

To begin with, dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat, accounting for 43% and 37% respectively. Lunch ranks second in terms of sodium consumption at 29%, while breakfast contains the smallest share at only 14%. A similar pattern can be observed for saturated fat, with lunch representing 26%, followed by snacks at 21%. Breakfast again records the lowest figure, at 16%.

Regarding added sugar, snacks make by far the greatest contribution, comprising 42% of the total. This figure is considerably higher than that of dinner, which accounts for 23%. Lunch and breakfast contain relatively lower proportions, at 19% and 16% respectively. Overall, the data suggest that dinner is generally the least healthy meal in terms of sodium and saturated fat intake, whereas snacks are the primary source of added sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features and provided relevant comparisons across the three nutrient categories. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source of added sugar. The data is accurately reported, and the structure allows for a logical comparison between the four meal types. You have effectively selected key information without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail, which is exactly what is required for an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introduction and overview to detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'To begin with', 'A similar pattern', and 'Regarding' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the overall structure is very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a data description task. Phrases like 'consistently contributes', 'records the lowest figure', and 'comprising 42% of the total' show a level of precision and flexibility. The vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well. While the range is sufficient for a high score, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to data trends (e.g., 'constitutes the bulk of', 'marginal difference') could elevate the response further. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, effectively. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. There is a good balance between simple and complex forms, which makes the writing fluent and easy to read. The use of comparative structures is accurate and adds to the clarity of the report. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader or affect the meaning of the information presented.

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