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 illustrate the average proportions of three nutrients—sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar—that may be unhealthy when consumed in excessive amounts. The data show how these nutrients are distributed across four typical meals eaten by people in the USA: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Overall, dinner contains the highest proportion of both sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks account for the largest share of added sugar. By contrast, breakfast contributes the smallest proportion of all three nutrients.

Looking first at sodium, dinner accounts for the largest proportion at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. In comparison, breakfast and snacks each make up only 14% of sodium intake.

A similar pattern can be seen for saturated fat. Dinner represents the highest percentage at 37%, while lunch accounts for 26% and snacks for 21%. Breakfast contains the lowest proportion, at just 16%.

Regarding added sugar, snacks contribute by far the largest share, at 42%. Dinner accounts for 23%, followed by lunch at 19%, while breakfast again has the smallest proportion, at 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by summarizing the main features of the three charts. You have successfully identified the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source of added sugar. The comparison between categories is clear and well-supported by the data provided. You have included all necessary information without omitting any significant details, and the overview paragraph effectively highlights the most important findings. The response is well-structured and meets all the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The report is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for each nutrient. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Overall', 'By contrast', 'Looking first at', and 'A similar pattern', which help to link the information together seamlessly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related data, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive phrasing.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately. Phrases like 'illustrate the average proportions', 'account for the largest share', and 'contributes the smallest proportion' are precise and appropriate for this task. The vocabulary is used naturally, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. While the range is adequate for a high band, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'proportion' or 'contains' could further enhance the lexical variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of subordinate clauses in 'whereas snacks account for the largest share of added sugar'. Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. There is a good variety of structures, and the grammar is consistently reliable throughout the response. The clarity of your writing is excellent, and there are no grammatical slips that cause any confusion for the reader.

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