Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

The three pie charts show the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks account for the highest proportion of added sugar.

Regarding sodium, dinner accounts for the largest proportion at 43%. Lunch accounts for 29%, while breakfast and snacks each account for 14%.

A similar pattern can be seen for saturated fat, as dinner accounts for the largest proportion at 37%. Lunch accounts for 26%, followed by snacks at 21%, while breakfast has the lowest proportion at 16%.

Lastly, for added sugar, we see a different pattern. Snacks account for the highest proportion at 42%, while dinner follows at 23%. Lunch accounts for 19%, while breakfast has the lowest proportion at 16%. Overall, snacks contribute the most added sugar, whereas dinner contributes the most sodium and saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main features of the three pie charts and provided relevant comparisons between the nutrient categories. The overview is concise and highlights the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source for sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate added sugar intake. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of information is appropriate for a summary task. To reach a higher band, you could aim to integrate the data more fluidly rather than listing the percentages for each meal type sequentially, which would create a more analytical rather than descriptive tone.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for each nutrient category. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'A similar pattern', and 'Lastly' to transition between points effectively. However, the structure is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on a repetitive sentence structure (e.g., 'X accounts for Y'). To improve, try varying the way you introduce data and use a wider range of cohesive links to connect the sentences within paragraphs more naturally, rather than relying on simple sequential markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportions', 'contribute', and 'consumed' correctly. The language is clear and appropriate for an academic report. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'accounts for' and 'proportion'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more varied synonyms and collocations to describe data trends, such as 'constitutes', 'represents', 'makes up', or 'the majority of'. The current range is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for the higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writing is generally accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You use a mix of simple and compound sentences effectively to convey information. While the grammar is sound, the range of structures is somewhat limited; most sentences follow a similar subject-verb-object pattern. To improve, try incorporating more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or participial phrases (e.g., 'Dinner, which contains the highest levels of sodium, also leads in saturated fat consumption'). There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, which is a strength.

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