Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
In the USA the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars are consumed in typical meals.
In the given chart, three types of nutrients are displayed: sodium, saturated fats and added sugars. Sodium in snake and breakfast is 14% and 43% sodium in dinner while 29% sodium exist in lunch. So, the chart display most quantity of sodium exist in dinner and same as the most quantity of saturated fats existed in dinner
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 75 words long. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. The summary is incomplete, as it fails to cover all three categories of nutrients (added sugars are mentioned but not described) and lacks a clear overview or comparison of the data. The information provided is fragmented and does not effectively highlight the main features or trends of the charts. To improve, you must ensure you provide a comprehensive summary of all data points and include a clear overview sentence that synthesizes the main trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks a logical structure. While there is a brief introduction and a body paragraph, the progression of ideas is disjointed. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and the transition between the introduction and the data description is abrupt. The use of 'So' to start a sentence is informal and does not effectively link the analysis. To improve, you should use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'furthermore', 'consequently') to connect your ideas and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping data by nutrient or meal type.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You use the word 'sodium' and 'quantity' multiple times, which restricts the range of your writing. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'snake' (likely intended to be 'snack') and 'exist in' (which is not the most natural way to describe data in a chart). To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing data, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'represent', and vary your vocabulary to avoid repeating the same nouns and verbs throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity. For example, 'the chart display most quantity' should be 'the chart displays the largest quantity'. There are also issues with sentence structure, such as 'same as the most quantity of saturated fats existed in dinner', which is grammatically incomplete and confusing. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. To improve, focus on using accurate subject-verb agreement and attempt to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to combine related pieces of information.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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