Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The pie chart illustrates the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which it is unhealthy if eaten too much.
Overall, there are three different average percentages of Sodium, Saturated fat, and Added sugar in three meals consumed in USA. In Sodium there is increases in dinner is 43% as compare to the saturated fat is relatively expand in dinner is 37% and the Added sugar in which snack is rises is 42%.
In sodium the average percentage is dinner is relatively grow in 43%, as compared to the lunch is relatively low is 29%. And the breakfast and snack is comparatively decreases it is 14%.
In saturated fat the dinner is 37% as compared to the lunch is relatively diminish is 26%. And the snack is also lower is 21% and in the least percentage is breakfast is reduce in 16%.
In added sugar, the highest percentage is snack is 42%, and the dinner is comparatively lessen is 23%. On the other hand, the lunch is 19% and the breakfast is the lowest percentage in the added sugar is 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying the highest and lowest values for each nutrient. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, cohesive overview. While you have selected key data points, the comparison between categories is often repetitive and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. For example, stating 'the dinner is 37% as compared to the lunch is relatively diminish is 26%' is grammatically awkward and obscures the comparison. To improve, focus on grouping the data more logically and providing a more concise summary of the trends rather than listing individual percentages in a repetitive manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of varied cohesive devices. Phrases like 'In sodium', 'In saturated fat', and 'In added sugar' are used to start paragraphs, which makes the writing feel formulaic. Furthermore, the internal cohesion within sentences is often weak, as seen in 'the dinner is 37% as compared to the lunch is relatively diminish is 26%'. Using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'whereas', 'in contrast', 'conversely') would help the ideas flow more naturally and improve the overall coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs like 'is', 'grow', 'diminish', and 'rises' in ways that are often grammatically incorrect or collocated poorly (e.g., 'relatively expand', 'relatively grow in 43%'). There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise academic vocabulary. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more varied verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'peak at', or 'remain constant'. Additionally, ensure that your word choices are contextually appropriate for describing statistical data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, incorrect preposition usage, and awkward sentence construction (e.g., 'all of which it is unhealthy if eaten too much' and 'the snack is also lower is 21%'). The range of structures is limited, relying mostly on simple sentences with repetitive patterns. To improve, you need to work on sentence variety, including the use of complex sentences, and ensure that your verb tenses and word order are accurate. Proofreading for basic errors in articles and prepositions would also significantly improve the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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