Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The three pie charts show the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in four different meals eaten by people in the USA.
Overall, dinner contains the highest amount of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks have the highest percentage of added sugar. Breakfast has the lowest or one of the lowest percentages for all three nutrients.
Looking at sodium, dinner makes up the largest proportion, at 43%. Lunch accounts for 29%, while breakfast and snacks are both 14%. The pattern for saturated fat is quite similar. Dinner is again the biggest contributor, at 37%, followed by lunch at 26%. Snacks make up 21%, and breakfast has the smallest proportion, at 16%.
However, added sugar has a different distribution. Snacks account for the highest percentage, at 42%, which is almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%. Lunch contributes 19%, while breakfast has the lowest percentage, at 16%.
In conclusion, dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks contribute the most added sugar. Breakfast generally has the smallest share of these nutrients.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main features and provided relevant comparisons between the three nutrients across the four meal types. The overview is concise and highlights the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate in added sugar. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of information is appropriate for a summary task. To reach a higher band, you could further synthesize the data by grouping categories more dynamically or highlighting more complex relationships between the nutrients, but the current response is well-structured and covers all requirements comprehensively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, the analysis of sodium and saturated fat, the analysis of added sugar, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'while', and 'whereas' are used effectively to contrast the data. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall readability of the text. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow without any confusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a data-reporting task. Terms such as 'proportion', 'contributor', 'distribution', and 'share' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise enough to convey the information clearly. While the range is sufficient, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe trends (e.g., 'predominant source' instead of 'main source'). However, the current usage is natural and error-free, which is sufficient for a high band score in this context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'Dinner makes up the largest proportion, at 43%' and 'Snacks account for the highest percentage, at 42%, which is almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writing is clear and professional. The response is largely error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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