Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-03
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)
Food is an essential part of our lives. But our consumption without appropriate consideration of certain nutrients can prove to be hazardous to our health. These nutrients are sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. The following charts showcase the mean percentages of their consumption in the usual meals eaten during the day by the people of USA. It can be observed that sodium and saturated fats are a major component in the food we ingest during dinners (43% and 37% respectively). This means that the dinners primarily comprise of some form of junk or fast foods. But the real surprise comes when checking the statistics for added sugar in our meals. It is majorly concentrated in the snacks we eat as a naive pleasure. The habit of occasional snacking is way more unhealthy than generally perceived. As it is packed with added sugars, saturated fats and sodium (42%, 21% and 14% respectively). Hence, it can be concluded that the snacks are mostly some form ultra processed sweets like cookies, biscuits or snacks bars. Also the cereals eaten regularly as a healthy breakfast are nothing but conduits for sugars and fats.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, such as the high levels of sodium and saturated fats in dinner and the high sugar content in snacks. However, the analysis is somewhat unbalanced. While you identify key data points, the report lacks a clear overview or summary statement that synthesizes the trends across all three nutrients. Furthermore, the inclusion of personal opinions—such as labeling snacks as 'naive pleasure' or suggesting cereals are 'conduits for sugars'—is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which requires an objective, neutral tone. To improve, focus strictly on reporting the data provided without adding external commentary or subjective interpretations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into a single block of text, which makes it difficult to follow. A standard Task 1 report should be divided into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and two body paragraphs detailing the specific data. While there is some logical flow, the lack of paragraphing and the limited use of cohesive devices (e.g., 'Also', 'Hence') make the structure feel mechanical. To reach a higher band, ensure you use clear paragraph breaks to separate your introduction, overview, and detailed analysis, and employ a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'hazardous', 'ingest', and 'ultra-processed'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation that affect precision. For example, 'usual meals eaten during the day' is slightly awkward, and 'naive pleasure' is not an appropriate academic collocation. Additionally, the phrase 'conduits for sugars' is somewhat imprecise in this context. To improve, focus on using more neutral, academic vocabulary and ensure that your word choices are strictly relevant to describing statistical data rather than expressing personal judgment.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'dinners primarily comprise of' (comprise does not take 'of') and 'snacks are mostly some form ultra processed' (missing 'of'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is occasionally repetitive. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on eliminating minor errors in preposition usage and ensure that complex sentences are constructed with greater accuracy.
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