Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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

IELTS Writing

Student answer (Band 7.5)

The pie chart illustrates the average proportions of three types of nutrients, namely sodium, saturated fat and added sugar, consumed in different meals in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounted for the highest intake of sodium and saturated fat, except for added sugar, while snacks contained the greatest proportion of added sugar. In contrast, breakfast accounted for the lowest percentage of all three nutrients.

Looking at sodium consumption, dinner represented the largest share, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Snacks and breakfast accounted for similar proportions, at 19% each.

A similar pattern can be seen in saturated fat consumption. Dinner had the highest proportion, at 37%, while snacks and lunch accounted for 26% and 21%, respectively. Breakfast had the lowest proportion, at only 16%.

On the other hand, the pattern for added sugar was slightly different. Snacks contained by far the highest proportion, at 42%, while dinner accounted for 23%, and lunch and breakfast represented 19% and 16%, respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons between the three nutrients across different meal times. The overview is clear and highlights the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source for sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate in added sugar. The data is accurately reported, and the selection of information is appropriate for a summary task. To reach a higher band, you could further synthesize the data by grouping categories more dynamically or highlighting more complex relationships between the nutrients, but the current response is well-developed and meets all requirements for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the data, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Looking at', 'A similar pattern', and 'On the other hand', to transition between points. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is smooth, and there is a good balance between general statements and specific data points. The structure is coherent and supports the overall purpose of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Terms such as 'proportions', 'accounted for', 'represented', and 'nutrients' are used correctly in context. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate a slightly wider range of less common lexical items or more sophisticated collocations related to data description, such as 'constitute a significant portion' or 'the figures for... are notably higher'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of comparative structures is accurate, and the subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is clear and professional. To improve further, you could experiment with more varied sentence structures, such as using participle clauses or more complex subordinating conjunctions to link ideas even more fluidly, but the current accuracy level is very high.

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

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