Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-17
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)
The graph shows the percentage of sodium fats sugar in the meals in us.
overall, it is the clear the percentage of sodium saturated fat and sugar.
lets write about the sodium in the food. snack have 14% sodium breakfast have 15%dinner have 43% and the lunch have 29% sodium. The dinner have more sodium in USA.
write about sugar in the food in usa snack have 21% breakfast 16% lunch 26% and the dinners have37% saturated fat. The dinner have more sugars
sugar in the food in the usa snack have 42% sugar breakfast 16% lunch 19% and the dinner have 23% sugar
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the student identifies the three nutrients and the four meal types, the summary is fragmented and lacks a cohesive overview. The data reporting is repetitive and lacks meaningful comparisons or a clear synthesis of the main trends. The response is essentially a list of figures rather than an analytical report. To improve, the student must provide a clear overview of the data, group information logically, and ensure the response is of sufficient length to fully address all parts of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response lacks a logical structure. It is presented as a series of disjointed sentences rather than a coherent report. There is no effective use of paragraphing, and cohesive devices are almost entirely absent. The transition between the different nutrients is abrupt, using informal phrases like 'lets write about'. To improve, the student should use linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'furthermore', 'consequently') to connect ideas and organize the report into clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the data logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is very basic and repetitive. The student relies on simple nouns like 'food', 'sodium', 'sugar', and 'fat' throughout the text. There is no attempt to use a range of vocabulary to describe trends or comparisons (e.g., 'account for', 'constitute', 'predominate'). Furthermore, there are errors in word choice, such as confusing 'saturated fat' with 'sugars' in the second and third paragraphs. To improve, the student should learn vocabulary related to data description and ensure they are using the correct terminology provided in the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting almost entirely of simple sentences. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The dinner have more sodium') and missing articles (e.g., 'in us'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas and periods. The response lacks complex sentence structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. To improve, the student should focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles, before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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