Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25
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 Illustrates the proportion of the average percentage in typical meals of three types of nutrients consumed in USA
As observed, the amount of sodium is large in dinner and the amount of saturated fats are also high nevertheless amount of added sugar is stable.
As per data, 43% of sodium is consumed in dinner and amount of sodium used in lunch in slightly less that was 29% .although in snacks the amount of sodium is used more than used in breakfast .
Further, the amount of saturated fat used in dinner is 37% which is less than the amount of sodium .but the usage of saturated salt in lunch was high compare to snacks and breakfast .
Furthermore, usage of added sugar is very high in snacks that was 43% nevertheless, the amount of added sugar is approximately same in other meals .
Overall, consumption of that much nutrients consider as unhealthy and my advice is that use these in a proper way to make the meal more nutritious
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying key percentages for sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, simply listing figures rather than synthesizing the information effectively. The overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the dominance of dinner for sodium and saturated fats versus the dominance of snacks for added sugars. Additionally, the final sentence provides personal advice, which is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, as the task requires an objective summary of the data provided, not subjective commentary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often awkward or inaccurate. For example, 'As per data' and 'although in snacks the amount of sodium is used more than used in breakfast' lack smooth transitions. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the logical progression between sentences is occasionally disjointed. While there is an attempt to use linking words like 'further' and 'furthermore', they are used in a repetitive and somewhat mechanical fashion, which hinders the flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student frequently uses basic phrasing such as 'amount of' and 'used in'. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'saturated salt' instead of 'saturated fats'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate precision; for instance, describing the percentages as 'large' or 'high' is acceptable but lacks the variety expected at higher bands. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise reporting verbs and nouns related to data analysis, such as 'proportion', 'constitute', 'account for', and 'significant'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'The given Pie Charts Illustrates' (should be 'illustrate') and 'amount of saturated fats are' (should be 'is'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas and incorrect capitalization. While the student attempts some complex sentence structures, they are often faulty, leading to awkward phrasing. The control over basic grammar is inconsistent, and the lack of error-free sentences prevents a higher score in this category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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