Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26

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 6.5)

The pie charts illustrate the proportions of three types of nutrients, namely sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar consists in typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, the proportion of sodium and saturated fat are the highest in dinner, followed by lunch, whereas in snack and breakfast these rates are considerably low. However, snack accounted for the largest source of added sugar.

Dinner is responsible for the largest share of sodium consumption, at 43%, and sodium received from lunch is at 29%; whereas, both snack and breakfast consists 14% of sodium.

The highest amount of saturated fat was consumed through dinner, at 37%, compared with breakfast, which consists the lowest amount of saturated fat, at 16%. In snack and lunch the percentage of fat both is 21% and 26%, respectively.

Added sugar, on the other hand; snacks has the largest share of it, at 42%, nearly half of the meal, followed by dinner at 23%. Breakfast and lunch both consists 16% and 19% of added sugar, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons. The overview clearly highlights the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source for sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate added sugar intake. You have included data to support your points, which is essential for Task 1. To improve, ensure that all comparisons are accurate; for instance, you noted that snacks and breakfast both consist of 14% sodium, which is correct, but ensure your reporting remains consistent throughout. The response covers all parts of the prompt well and provides a clear summary of the data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the nutrients effectively. You use cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'on the other hand', and 'followed by' to connect ideas. However, the paragraphing could be slightly more refined; the transition between the discussion of sodium and saturated fat is a bit abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is slightly mechanical. Overall, the information flows well, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a clear, logical structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportions', 'consumed', and 'responsible for'. However, there are some repetitive word choices, such as the frequent use of 'consists' or 'consisted', which are sometimes used incorrectly (e.g., 'breakfast consists the lowest amount'). Using a wider variety of verbs like 'accounted for', 'comprised', or 'constituted' would enhance the lexical sophistication. While the errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on precise collocations will help improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and preposition usage, such as 'sodium... consists in' (should be 'consists of') and 'snacks has the largest share' (should be 'snacks have'). Punctuation is generally functional, though there is an unnecessary semicolon after 'on the other hand'. While these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of the data. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more error-free sentences and greater control over complex grammatical structures.

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

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