Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-12
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 given, pie chart shows the percentage of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in meal of the day.
First, the percentage of three main meals of the day are the breakfast has 14%, the lunch has 29%, and the meal has the highest percentage of sodium is dinner ( about 43% ). Second, the proportion of saturated fat in three meals are the breakfast has 16%, the lunch has 26% and the dinner has 37%. Finally, the percentage of added sugar of the meals are the breakfast is 16%, the lunch is 19% and the dinner ia 23%. Besides, the snack has the percentage of sodium are 14%, the saturated fat are 21% and the added sugar are 42%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
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 purely descriptive and lacks a clear overview or synthesis of the data. You have listed the percentages for each category without making meaningful comparisons or highlighting significant trends, such as the fact that snacks are the primary source of added sugar. To improve, you must provide a clear summary paragraph that highlights the most striking differences and similarities, and ensure you meet the minimum length requirement to allow for a more thorough development of the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into a single paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow. While you use some basic cohesive devices like 'First', 'Second', and 'Finally', the structure is mechanical and repetitive. There is no clear paragraphing to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. To improve, you should group related information into distinct paragraphs and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly. The current structure feels like a list of data points rather than a cohesive report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You frequently use the phrase 'the percentage of' and 'the meal has', which restricts the range of your writing. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'meal of the day' instead of 'typical meals'. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider range of vocabulary to describe data, such as 'proportion', 'figure', 'account for', and 'constitute'. Avoid repeating the same sentence structures and vocabulary throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'the snack has the percentage of sodium are 14%') and awkward phrasing. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of parentheses and commas. To improve, focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences and ensure that your subjects and verbs agree. Proofreading for basic errors like 'ia' (is) will also help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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