Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-28
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 following chart shows the average percentages in typyical meals consumed in the USA. The netruients include Sodium, Saturated fat and added sugar.
It is showing the difference in all nutrients, which can affect the health if it's eaten too much. The meals include the snacks, dinner, lunch and breakfast. Basically it is showing that now much nutrients is consumed in different meals. That actually is unhealthy if eaten too much.
In breakfast, 14% of sodium is consumed in it. The amount of saturated fat and added sugar is same 16%. While in lunch, the quantity of sodium is 29% which is a little higher than before. The amount of Saturated fat in Lunch is 26% and added sugar quantity is 19%.
In Dinner, large amount of nutrients are added in it. Firstly, 43% of sodium is used in it, the quantity of saturated fat is 37% and at last the quantity of added sugar is 23%. While in Snacks, 14% of sodium is added in it, 21% of saturated fat is added, and the quantity of added sugar is 42% in it.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the three nutrients and the four meal types. However, the report lacks an effective overview. A Band 6 response should present a clear overview of the main trends, such as the fact that dinner is the most significant contributor to sodium and saturated fat, while snacks are the primary source of added sugar. The current response is essentially a list of data points without synthesis or comparison. While the figures are accurate, the lack of a summary of the 'big picture' prevents it from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure you group information logically rather than just listing each meal sequentially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on simple transitions like 'In breakfast' or 'In dinner'. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect the comparisons between the nutrients. For example, instead of saying 'the quantity of saturated fat is 37%', you could use comparative structures like 'whereas saturated fat accounts for 37%'. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall flow feels more like a list of facts than a cohesive analytical report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several spelling errors, such as 'typyical' and 'netruients', which are distracting. The range of vocabulary is quite narrow, with frequent repetition of phrases like 'the quantity of' and 'is added in it'. To achieve a higher score, you should use a wider range of synonyms and more precise reporting verbs or nouns (e.g., 'constitutes', 'accounts for', 'proportion', 'intake'). The current lexical range is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'It is showing the difference' (should be 'The charts show'), 'now much nutrients is consumed' (should be 'how much nutrient is consumed'), and 'the amount of saturated fat and added sugar is same' (missing 'the'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures while ensuring accuracy will help move the score up.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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