Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21
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 proportions in typical meals of three types of nutrients, which are sodium, saturated fat and added sugar.
Overall, the highest amount of sodium and saturated fat are consumed in dinner, while the snack contains most amount of added sugar.
To begin with, the majority people of USA consumes sodium and saturated fat in dinner, which accounted for 43% and 37% respectively. In contrast the least amount of sodium consumes in snack and breakfast with the same figure at 14%, while the snack and breakfast contains 21% and 16% of saturated fat. However the lunch contains almost the same amount of sodium and saturated fat, which accounted for 29% and 26% respectively.
Turning to added sugar, the most amount of snack contains 42%, while the proportion of 23% accounted for added sugar in dinner. 19% of added sugar has been consumed in lunch by the individuals of USA, while least percentages of added sugar consumed in breakfast, which accounted for 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully identifies the main features of the charts. You have provided a clear overview and supported the main points with data from the charts. However, the analysis could be improved by making more direct comparisons between the nutrient categories rather than just listing percentages. For example, noting that sodium and saturated fat share similar patterns across meals would strengthen the response. Additionally, there are some minor inaccuracies in data reporting, such as stating 'the majority people of USA consumes sodium... in dinner' when the chart shows 43%, which is a plurality rather than a majority. Overall, the task is well-addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific nutrients. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'In contrast,' and 'Turning to' to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. For instance, the phrase 'which accounted for' is used repeatedly throughout the text. Improving the variety of cohesive structures would help the flow of the essay feel more natural and sophisticated.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly, using terms like 'proportions,' 'respectively,' and 'nutrients.' However, there are some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'the majority people of USA' (should be 'the majority of people in the USA') and 'the most amount of snack' (should be 'the largest proportion of added sugar is found in snacks'). These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Using more precise academic vocabulary would enhance the quality of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'the least amount of sodium consumes in snack' (should be 'is consumed') and 'the most amount of snack contains 42%' (should be 'snacks contain 42%'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not cause significant difficulty for the reader. To improve, focus on ensuring consistent verb forms and correct prepositional usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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