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 provided pie charts illustrate the average proportions in traditional meals of three types of nutrients in The USA namely; sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, that can be problematic if eaten heavily.

Overall, sodium and saturated fats are consumed mostly during dinner, whereas added sugars are eaten mostly as snack.

Sodium is mostly consumed during dinner (43%) in the US, the highest figure on the chart. While lunch meals account for 29% sodium, breakfast and snack make up for only 14% each, the lowest proportion for this category. Similarly, the highest figure for saturated fat is 37% which is consumed during dinner while the lunch, snack and breakfast represent 26%, 21% and 16% respectively.

However, 42% snack items incorporate added sugar which are consumed by US citizens whereas, during breakfast they consume 16% of it, while lunch and dinner constitute to 19% and 23% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview and selects key features, such as the peak consumption times for each nutrient. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the score. While the main trends are identified, the analysis could be more detailed to fully meet the task requirements. The comparison between categories is present, but the brevity prevents a more thorough exploration of the data. To improve, ensure you expand on the comparisons and provide a more comprehensive summary that comfortably exceeds the word count limit.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs for the specific data. Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'However', and 'whereas' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and the transition between the second and third body paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure would benefit from more sophisticated linking to improve the logical progression of the information presented.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'proportions', 'nutrients', and 'constitute'. However, there are some awkward collocations and phrasing, such as 'eaten heavily' and 'snack items incorporate added sugar'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'predominantly', 'account for', or 'fluctuate', and ensure collocations are natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as the incorrect use of a semicolon in the first sentence ('namely; sodium') and the awkward phrasing 'constitute to'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable. The use of punctuation is inconsistent, and some sentences lack the necessary complexity to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control. Focusing on accurate sentence construction and refining punctuation will help improve this score.

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

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