Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-18
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 chart illustrate the comparison of percentages of different nutrients consumed in meals in the USA.
In breakfast the percentages are same 2 percent is higher in sodium. In lunch added sugar is 19 percent which is below average in sodium it is a bit higher which is 29 percent and saturated fats consumed are average.
In Dinner, they consume maximum sodium in their meals with a percentage of 43 and less amount of sugar saturated fats are consumed 37 percent in dinner in their meals. In snacks they consume very high amount of sugar. The percentage of sugar consumed is 42 percent. They consume 14 percent of sodium in snacks and 21 percent saturated fats.
The percentage of sugar consumed in snacks is very high which is unhealthy and can cause different health issues because consuming sugar in high amount is not good for health and people of USA.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the task by identifying the main features of the charts, such as the high sodium in dinner and high sugar in snacks. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear overview or summary of the trends. The description of the data is occasionally inaccurate (e.g., stating 'in breakfast the percentages are same' when the chart shows distinct values). Furthermore, the final paragraph includes personal commentary regarding health issues, which is irrelevant to a data summary task and detracts from the objective tone required for Academic Task 1. To improve, focus on comparing the nutrients across all categories rather than listing them individually.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is mechanical and lacks a logical flow between sentences. Cohesive devices are largely absent or used incorrectly, leading to a disjointed reading experience. For example, the transition between the description of lunch and dinner is abrupt. The use of referencing is also weak, making it difficult to track which nutrient is being discussed in certain sentences. To improve, use linking words such as 'in contrast,' 'furthermore,' or 'consequently' to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'consumed,' 'percentage,' and 'amount.' There are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'less amount of sugar saturated fats are consumed,' which is grammatically confusing and imprecise. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate a higher level of control, and the student struggles to use precise terminology to describe data trends (e.g., 'a bit higher' is vague). Expanding your range to include words like 'proportion,' 'significant,' 'minimal,' and 'fluctuate' would greatly enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('in breakfast'), incorrect subject-verb agreement, and awkward sentence construction (e.g., 'In lunch added sugar is 19 percent which is below average in sodium it is a bit higher'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering basic sentence structure and ensuring subject-verb agreement before attempting more complex forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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