Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

average percentages of sodium , saturated fats and added sugars consumed in a typical meals in the USA. on breakfast , sodium was consumed 14 percent , Saturated fats was consumed 16 percent , and taking added sugar 16 percent same as fats. while in snack sodium was taken less around 14% as compare to saturated fats was 21% but added sugar was taken much higher than both 42% .

at lunch , sodium was consumed 29%, saturated fats was 26% and added sugar around 19% . while in dinner, sodium was taken 43%, saturated fats was 37% , added sugar was 23%.

In the conclusion, sodium was consumed less as compare to both . In addition, sodium was consumed much higher in lunch as well as in dinner . but , sugar consumption was more in snacking .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the charts, the analysis is quite mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the trends. You have listed the data for each meal type, but the comparisons are underdeveloped. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory sentence that paraphrases the prompt, followed by a distinct overview paragraph that highlights the most significant trends (e.g., dinner having the highest levels of all three nutrients). The conclusion provided is more of a summary of specific data points rather than a synthesis of the main features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear structure. It is presented as a series of short, disjointed sentences rather than a cohesive report. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often repetitive (e.g., 'while in', 'as compare to'). Paragraphing is also problematic; the response should be organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information logically. The transition between the data points is abrupt, making the text feel like a list of statistics rather than a flowing summary. Improving the use of linking words such as 'furthermore', 'conversely', and 'in contrast' would help create a better logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on the words provided in the prompt. Phrases like 'sodium was consumed' and 'saturated fats was' are used repeatedly, which limits the range of your writing. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or an attempt to vary the language used to describe data. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'accounted for', 'constituted', 'peaked at', or 'represented'. Additionally, ensure you use correct terminology for percentages and proportions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'saturated fats was' instead of 'were') and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack proper punctuation, such as the inconsistent use of commas and capitalization. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. To improve, focus on using a mix of complex sentence structures and ensure that your subjects and verbs agree. Proofreading for basic errors like 'as compare to' (should be 'compared to') will also help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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