Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The pie charts illustrate the percentages of three nutrients in three different meals of a day in American diet.

Overall, the key features are that snack, dinner and lunch takes up the prominent percentage of nutrients in the whole proportion as added sugar is consumed most during snacks while saturated fats and sodium consumed most during dinner. However, the least nutrients are eaten during breakfast.

Firstly, snacks and dinner takes up to more than 50% of the total nutrients percentage altogether, for instance the most added sugar is consumed in these meals (approximately 67%) with snacks 42% and dinner 23%. Moreover, for saturated fat the snack is roughly 21% and dinner 37% while sodium includes 14%, 43% for snack and dinner respectively.

Secondly, the meals breakfast and lunch sums below 50% in all the nutrients. For sodium, these two meals only takes 43%(breakfast 14% and lunch 29%) while saturated fat consumption increases by 2% resulting in 16%, for breakfast and lunch reduced to 26%. Additionally, added sugar intake stays the same for breakfast (16%) and decreases to 19%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons. You covered all three nutrients and the four meal categories. However, the analysis is slightly hampered by some inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, you state that 'snacks and dinner takes up to more than 50% of the total nutrients', but the data for added sugar shows 42% and 23%, which is 65%, yet your phrasing is slightly confusing. Additionally, some of the data points mentioned, such as the sodium breakdown, are slightly misaligned with the visual information. To reach a higher band, ensure that data points are cited with absolute precision and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends without needing to list every figure.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Moreover', and 'Additionally' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel slightly forced. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within the second body paragraph is weakened by slightly confusing sentence structures when comparing the percentages. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'these two meals') is always clear will help improve the flow and logical progression of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'illustrate', 'prominent', 'consumption', and 'proportion'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation. For instance, 'takes up the prominent percentage' is not natural English; 'accounts for the largest proportion' would be more precise. You also have some minor errors in phrasing, such as 'the meals breakfast and lunch sums below 50%'. While these errors do not impede communication, they limit your score. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations related to data reporting and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'snacks and dinner takes up' should be 'take up') and article usage (e.g., 'in American diet' should be 'in the American diet'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'the meals breakfast and lunch sums below 50%'. While these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of the data. To achieve a higher band, focus on consistent subject-verb agreement and refining your use of articles and prepositions.

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