Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-22

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 5.5)

the given pie charts represented the average proportion in regular meals of three different variety of nutrients, all of which sometimes not healthy if eaten in more quantity. Overall, it can be seen that there are three types of nutrients involved with proportion of snacks, breakfast, lunch and as well as dinner.

Now, turning to the details, Initially, the first type of nutrient is sodium have a breakfast and snacks with same proportion that is 14%. Furthermore, the remaining meals of sodium type has a lunch with 29% and dinner with 43%.On the other hand, the second type of nutrient is saturated fat has a percentage of 16% of breakfast with 21% of snacks. In addition, 37% of dinner and 26% of lunch. Finally, the last type of nutrient is a added sugar has a small proportion of breakfast with 16%. on while, lunch has a 19% along with dinner has a 23% and snack with highest percentage top in added sugar that is 42%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all three nutrients and identifies the main features, such as the high sodium content in dinner and the high sugar content in snacks. However, the analysis is largely a list of data points rather than a synthesis of the information. The overview is somewhat weak, as it merely states what the charts show rather than highlighting the most significant trends or comparisons. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the data more effectively and drawing clear comparisons between the meals, rather than describing each nutrient in isolation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into two paragraphs, which is a good start. However, the progression of ideas is mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is sometimes awkward, such as 'on while' and 'initially, the first type of nutrient is sodium have'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of information. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one would significantly improve the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'type of nutrient' and 'proportion'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'eaten in more quantity' instead of 'excessive amounts' and 'top in added sugar'. To improve, try to use more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'predominate', and ensure that your word forms are accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage. For example, 'the given pie charts represented' (should be present tense), 'sodium have a breakfast' (should be 'sodium in breakfast'), and 'a added sugar' (should be 'added sugar'). While the meaning is generally clear, these errors are persistent and affect the fluency of the response. You should focus on mastering basic sentence structures and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms.

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

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