Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-15

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 4.0)

In United States of America, the intake of sodium is normal which is required for a healthy body . But the sources from which the sodium is taken is not much appropriate. We should take equal amount of sodium in our each meal. We should take a definite proportion of sodium from our diet . The intake of saturated fat is more because as we all know that saturated fats are not good fats. They are not healthy fats and are harmful for our body. So they should not each much saturated fat . In comparison they can eat unsaturated fat which is good fats . Therefore not much harmful for our body . Sugar acts as a source of carbohydrates which should be taken in our meal but not in much quantity. Because it can lead to weight gain of a person . In an comparison we should take all the nutrients in appropriate amount from our diet . Over use of everything leads to some disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0

The response fails to address the core requirements of an Academic Task 1 report. Instead of summarising the data provided in the charts, the text offers general health advice and personal opinions about nutrition. There is no mention of the specific percentages, the three types of nutrients (sodium, saturated fats, added sugars), or any comparison of the data across the meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks). To achieve a higher band, you must describe the information presented in the charts objectively, highlighting key trends and making comparisons between the categories, rather than providing subjective commentary on health.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks logical progression and clear paragraphing. While there are some cohesive devices used, such as 'In comparison' and 'Therefore', they are often used incorrectly or do not link ideas in a meaningful way. The text reads as a series of disjointed sentences rather than a structured report. There is no clear introduction, body, or conclusion that relates to the data. To improve, you should organise your response into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main trends, and specific details supported by the data.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'not much appropriate', 'not good fats', and 'not much harmful' are simplistic and lack the precision required for an academic report. There is a lack of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'fluctuation', 'significant', or 'trend'. The language used is informal and conversational rather than academic. You should focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary for describing charts and graphs to convey information more accurately and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with article usage ('In United States of America'), subject-verb agreement ('they should not each much'), and sentence structure. The range of structures is very narrow, relying almost entirely on simple sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles before attempting more complex grammatical forms.

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

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