Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The provided pie charts illustrate the average proportions in four meals— breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner, of three categories of nutrients namely: sodium, saturated fats and added sugars, that are consumed by the US citizens which can be problematic if overeaten.

Overall, while sodium and saturated fat is consumed mostly during dinner, added sugar dominates the snack options. Meanwhile, breakfast meals contribute lowest in percentage across all three types of nutrients.

43% of sodium is the highest proportion which is consumed during dinner, followed by lunch, at 29%. However, breakfast and snack account for 14% each, the lowest figures in this category. A similar pattern can be noticed in saturated fat consumption where dinner represent 37% intake, followed by lunch, at 26% and snack at 21% respectively. Breakfast incorporates 16% of saturated fat intake, again the lowest in this category.

By contrast, added sugar depicted a different distribution with 37% of it being consumed mostly through snack items, whereas, dinner account for 23% intake placing it in the second rank for this category. Moreover, lunch accounts for 19% consumption of added sugar and breakfast continues to rank the lowest with 16% intake.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected and reported key features from the charts. The comparisons between the three nutrients are accurate and well-supported by the data provided. For example, you correctly identified that dinner is the primary source for sodium and saturated fats, while snacks are the main source for added sugars. The information is logically grouped, and the summary is balanced, covering all categories without omitting significant details. This meets the requirements for a high band score as the information is presented clearly and accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the data, which helps the reader follow the analysis easily. You have used a range of cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'By contrast', and 'Moreover' to link ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, demonstrating a good command of cohesive structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information precisely. Terms such as 'proportions', 'dominates', 'incorporates', and 'distribution' are used appropriately in the context of data analysis. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the task well, it remains largely functional. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe trends, such as 'constitutes the bulk of' or 'a marginal contribution'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'While sodium and saturated fat is consumed mostly during dinner, added sugar dominates the snack options.' There are a few minor subject-verb agreement errors, such as 'saturated fat is consumed' (should be 'are') and 'dinner represent' (should be 'represents'). Despite these occasional slips, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. The grammatical range is sufficient to express complex comparisons clearly.

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

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