Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-31
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 chart illustrates the average ratios in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy it eaten too much. Overall, consumption of sodium and saturated fat was highest 43 percent and 37 percent. Moreover, households of USA consume 16 percent of added sugar saturated fat items in breakfast.
Significantly, people of USA prefer 42 percentage of added sugar product in snacks it was very high; sodium is less prefer by people in snack and breakfast. Furthermore, consumption of saturated fat in lunch 29 percent is less than sodium and higher than added sugar. People consume less added sugar items in dinner and lunch. All over, Added sugar product is very high in snacks. Sodium items were at highest in dinner and lunch. Saturated fat items consumed in lunch and dinner is highest compare to added sugar product. However, added sugar and sodium product is most consumed by USA.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response attempts to address the task by summarizing the data, but it fails to provide a clear or accurate overview. The information is presented in a fragmented manner, and there are significant inaccuracies in the interpretation of the data (e.g., stating sodium and saturated fat were highest at 43% and 37% without specifying the context). The report lacks a logical selection of key features, and the comparisons are often confusing or incorrect. The summary is not well-developed, and the lack of clarity regarding the specific meal types and nutrient percentages makes it difficult for the reader to follow the trends. More focus on grouping the data logically would improve the score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is disjointed. While some cohesive devices like 'Significantly' and 'Furthermore' are used, they are often applied mechanically or inappropriately, failing to create a smooth flow between sentences. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'sodium is less prefer by people in snack and breakfast,' which lacks a clear connection to the previous data. The overall structure is repetitive, and the lack of clear logical links between the meal categories and the nutrient percentages hinders the coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'items,' 'product,' and 'consume' throughout the text. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'ratios' instead of 'percentages' or 'proportions,' and 'sodium is less prefer' instead of 'sodium is less preferred.' The use of 'percentage' as a noun to describe a quantity is also inaccurate. To reach a higher band, the student needs to use a wider variety of precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion,' 'account for,' 'constitute,' and 'predominant.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('households of USA consume'), incorrect verb forms ('sodium is less prefer'), and awkward sentence structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly in the use of commas and semicolons. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often faulty, such as 'Saturated fat items consumed in lunch and dinner is highest compare to added sugar product.' The student needs to focus on basic sentence construction and ensure that verb tenses and pluralization are used correctly to improve accuracy.
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