Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-29

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 given pie chat illustrates proportion in meals in three types of nutrients, which if eaten too much can cause health problems.

Overall, it is clear that types of nutrients in dinner is highest then other 3 meals. The another significant feature is that breakfast has the lowest nutrients.

In breakfast, sodium is the lowest then other two with 14%, percentage of saturated fat and added sugar being at the same, which is 16%. For lunch, percentage of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar is 29%, 26% and 19% respectively.

Percentage of nutrients in snacks is amongst the lowest with the proportion of 14% for sodium and 21% for saturated fat and 42% of added sugar with the highest percentage then other meals. Dinner has the most percentage of nutrients with 43%, 37% and 23% for sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. Which is by far has, most of the nutrients.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features of the three nutrients across four meal types. You successfully highlight the dominance of dinner and the lower levels in breakfast. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing percentages rather than synthesizing the data. To reach a higher band, focus on grouping information more effectively—for example, noting that added sugar is the primary nutrient in snacks, which contrasts with the sodium-heavy profile of dinner. The overview is present but could be more analytical regarding the overall trends rather than just stating which meal is highest.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and occasionally awkward, such as 'The another significant feature' and 'Which is by far has'. The transition between sentences is often mechanical, relying on simple listing rather than sophisticated linking. While the progression of ideas is clear, the lack of varied cohesive devices and some minor issues with referencing (e.g., 'other 3 meals') limit the flow. Improving the variety of linking words would significantly enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'nutrients', 'proportion', and 'respectively'. However, there are several instances of word-choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'pie chat' (instead of chart) and 'most percentage' (instead of highest percentage). The repetition of 'percentage' and 'lowest' indicates a limited range of synonyms. To improve, try to use more precise descriptors for data trends, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'predominate'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'types of nutrients in dinner is highest then other 3 meals' (subject-verb agreement and comparative error) and 'percentage of saturated fat and added sugar being at the same' (missing article and awkward construction). There are also issues with punctuation and sentence fragments, such as 'Which is by far has, most of the nutrients.' While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band score.

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

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