Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-05
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 5.0)
The pie chart illustrates the consumption of varied type nutrients from meals, if its eaten too much then it may be harmful for health.
Firstly, in USA, the majority of sodium and saturated fat is consumed by dinner 43% and 37%. Secondly, the proportion of sodium is almost equal in breakfast and snack, and lunch contains 29%. Moreover, the consumption of saturated fat is almost same level, in snack and lunch, 21% and 26%.
On the other hand, US citizen consumed added sugar 42%, respectively. However, dinner is 23%, also people of USA eat added sugar in their lunch and breakfast is, 19% and 16%.
Overall, it is evident that, sodium and saturated fat is the highest consumption by US locals, also sugar in snack. Although this three nutrients are consumed heavily, also they consumed around 20% in other day meals.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the charts, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You have listed percentages without providing a cohesive comparison or a clear overview of the trends. For instance, the section on added sugar is confusingly phrased ('US citizen consumed added sugar 42%, respectively'), making it difficult to follow the data. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the most significant differences and similarities rather than just listing data points. The under-length nature of the response prevents a more thorough development of the key features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is often hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of effective cohesive devices. Transitions like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' are used, but the connection between sentences is often mechanical or unclear. For example, the transition 'On the other hand' is used incorrectly here, as it does not introduce a contrasting argument but rather a new category of data. Referencing is also inconsistent, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of information between the different nutrient categories.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic terms like 'consumed' and 'eat'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'varied type nutrients' instead of 'various types of nutrients' and 'US locals' which is not the most appropriate term for this context. Some phrases are grammatically awkward, such as 'is the highest consumption by US locals', which impedes the clarity of your report. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'account for', or 'constitute'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally cause confusion. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('sodium and saturated fat is the highest'), incorrect preposition usage, and awkward sentence construction ('people of USA eat added sugar in their lunch and breakfast is, 19% and 16%'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focus on mastering basic sentence structures before attempting more complex ones.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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