Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-08

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 6.5)

The given charts illustrate the average percentages of three types of nutrients found in typical meals which may be unhealthy if consumed in excess amount.

Overall, the dinner has more sodium and saturated fat compared to other meals of the day, where as the snack consists of more sugar than any other meals. However, breakfast and lunch contains moderate amounts of nutrients in them.

Breakfast and snack have same content of sodium i.e. 14%. There is a slight change of 5% in saturated fats in both meals where snack has 21% and breakfast has 16%. Unlike these nutrients, there is a stark difference in the levels of added sugar in both meals where snack consists of 42% and breakfast consists 16%.

Lunch and dinner have similar nutrient value of added sugar and saturated fat as opposed to sodium levels. Lunch has approximately 19% of added sugar likewise, dinner is 4% more at 23%. Saturated fat in these meals have a slight difference of 11% where dinner consists 37% and lunch contains 26%. On the contrary, sodium levels of dinner is almost twice as much as lunch at 43% and 29% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main features of the charts, such as the high sodium and saturated fat content in dinner and the high sugar content in snacks. You have made relevant comparisons between the meal types, which is a key requirement. However, the analysis could be improved by ensuring all data points are accurate; for instance, you mention 'breakfast and snack have same content of sodium i.e. 14%', but the chart shows breakfast at 14% and snacks at 14%, which is correct, yet your subsequent comparison of saturated fats contains minor inaccuracies in calculation. Overall, the report is clear and covers all parts of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Unlike these nutrients', and 'On the contrary' to link ideas. While the flow is generally good, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas from the overview to specific comparisons is logical. To reach a higher band, ensure that the referencing remains clear throughout, as some sentences become slightly cluttered when comparing multiple data points simultaneously.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'consumed in excess', 'moderate amounts', and 'stark difference'. There is some repetition of basic verbs like 'consists' and 'contains'. To improve, try to vary your verbs and use more precise collocations. For example, instead of saying 'dinner is 4% more', you could use 'dinner is 4% higher'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for higher band scores.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'breakfast and lunch contains' should be 'contain', and 'sodium levels of dinner is' should be 'are'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and preposition errors, such as 'dinner is 4% more at 23%'. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To move up, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and refining the accuracy of your comparative structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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