Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-27

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 pie charts depict the information about the average proportion in typical meals of different kinds of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if consumed too much.

To begin with, the percentage of sodium was highest in dinner meal which was 43 and in snacks and breakfast meals the count of sodium was similar which was 14 percent. Then, the count of saturated fat was maximum in dinner meals, while least was noticed in breakfast meals which was only 16 percent.

The difference of 5 percent was seen in the consumption of saturated fat between snacks and lunch meals. After that, the highest percentage of added sugar was in snacks which was 42. The proportion of added sugar in breakfast, lunch and dinner meals was 16, 19 and 23 respectively.

Overall, the maximum count of sodium was consumed in dinner meals and least percentage of saturated fat was in breakfast meals and snaks contain highest percentage of added sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all three nutrients and provides a summary of the main features. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, listing data points rather than synthesising them into a clear, analytical overview. While the main features are identified, the comparison between categories could be more sophisticated. For instance, the report mentions specific percentages but lacks a cohesive narrative that highlights the most significant trends across the meals. To improve, focus on grouping data more effectively and highlighting the most striking differences or similarities rather than listing figures sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on simple transitions like 'To begin with' and 'After that'. The progression of ideas is logical, but the connection between sentences could be smoother. The final summary paragraph is a bit disjointed and repeats information already stated in the body paragraphs. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the data clearly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic terms like 'count' and 'percentage'. There are also minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'snaks' instead of 'snacks'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate a wider range of precise vocabulary related to data description, such as 'proportion', 'constitute', 'account for', or 'fluctuate', and ensure greater accuracy in spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'highest in dinner meal which was 43' (missing 'the' and 'percent') and 'least was noticed in breakfast meals' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is occasionally repetitive. To improve, the student should focus on using articles correctly, improving subject-verb agreement, and varying sentence length to create a more sophisticated grammatical profile.

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

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