Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-16
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 6.0)
The pie charts compare the share of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in typical meals consumed by the people in the USA, all of these ingredients can be bad for health if consumption is greater than the optimum limit.
Overall, the percentages of sodium and saturated fat are close in all types of meal, while the percentages of added sugar are different in meals than the other two nutrients. Sodium and saturated sugar are present in greater quantity in dinner, but added sugar dictates in snack.
Sodium present by the greater quantity dinner than other type of meals. About 43% of sodium is consumed in dinner, followed by lunch with a 29% share, while snack and breakfast have equally 14% share of the total sodium consumption. Nearly similar percentages of saturated fats are found in the meals in the USA. In dinner, people in USA consume about 37% of the total saturated fats and for lunch this percentage is 26%. They eat least amount of saturated fats in breakfast, about 16%.
Added sugar has the highest share in snack with 42%, while dinner is in the second position for responsible for 23% of the total sugars. Breakfast and lunch has the proportion of 16% and 19% respectively for added sugars.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features and making relevant comparisons. You successfully highlighted the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fats, while snacks are the main source of added sugar. However, the report could be improved by providing a more cohesive overview that synthesizes the data rather than just listing percentages. Some minor inaccuracies exist, such as the claim that 'saturated sugar' is present in dinner, which is a misnomer. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurately labeled and that the comparison between the three nutrients is more clearly integrated into the summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific nutrients. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'followed by', 'while', and 'respectively', which help the flow of information. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more balanced. For instance, the second body paragraph is quite dense compared to the first. Improving the use of referencing and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'consumption', 'proportion', and 'share'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'saturated sugar' (which is not a nutrient category) and 'dictates in snack' (which is an awkward collocation). To improve, focus on using more precise terminology related to data description, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'predominate'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Sodium present by the greater quantity dinner' (missing verb and incorrect preposition) and 'Breakfast and lunch has the proportion' (subject-verb agreement error). Additionally, 'responsible for 23% of the total sugars' is grammatically awkward in its current context. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.