Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The respective pie charts show the share of three nutrients in four different types of meals, which are breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. A quick overview shows us the main trends which are that breakfast the least amount of variation hence making it the most healthy meal. Lunch is the second most balanced meal. Dinner and snacks have higher tendencies to be unhealthy because they have a higher share in the respective meals.

Snack tends to be the forerunner in only added sugar while maintaining a balance in Sodium levels and Saturated Fat levels.

Breakfast maintains steady levels of 14% to 16% hence making it the most balanced meal.

Dinner has the highest share in both Sodium which is 43% and Saturated fat which is 37% while it is in second place in added sugar at 23%, making it the most nutrient dense meal on the list. Hence making it unhealthy

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student provides a general overview of the nutrient distribution in meals, mentioning key trends among breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. However, the analysis lacks detailed comparisons and clear quantitative data from the charts, such as the exact percentages of nutrients in each meal type, which impacts the task achievement. Improvements could include more precise referencing of data to support statements. Overall, it meets the basic requirements but is limited in depth and clarity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response shows a satisfactory level of coherence, with information structured by meal types. However, there are instances of unclear phrasing, such as "higher tendencies to be unhealthy" which could benefit from more straightforward wording. The transitions between sentences and ideas can be smoother, using linking words to enhance fluidity, such as "in contrast" or "similarly." Overall, while the organization is present, better cohesion is needed for higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The lexical resource exhibits some variety, using phrases like "nutrient dense" and "most balanced meal." However, the response includes repetitive phrases like "most healthy meal" and lacks higher-level vocabulary that could strengthen the argument. Additionally, there are slight inaccuracies such as "the most nutrient dense meal on the list" without elaborating on what that entails. More diverse vocabulary and precise terminology would elevate this score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

Grammatically, the response is mostly accurate, but there are errors such as "making it the most healthy meal" (should be "healthiest") and awkward constructions like "Snack tends to be the forerunner in only added sugar." Furthermore, more complex sentence structures would enhance the overall grammatical range and accuracy. Although the meaning is mostly conveyed, these errors do affect clarity at times.

Overall feedback

Your response effectively outlines the nutrient percentages in various meals, capturing basic trends, but it would benefit from deeper analysis and quantitative specifics from the charts, which are crucial for better task achievement. Work on organizing your ideas more logically and use linking phrases for improved coherence. Enhance your vocabulary by replacing repetitive phrases with synonyms or more specific terms. Lastly, aim to reduce grammatical errors by thoroughly proofreading your work, especially focusing on comparative structures and ensuring proper terms are used. Overall, you have a solid foundation but can improve clarity and depth.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.