Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-30

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 given pie diagrams depict the mediocre rates in day-to-day meals of three nutrients, all of which, if consumed in a high proportion, can be unhealthy.

Overall, Sodium and Saturated fat are being eaten more during dinner but with Added Sugar it is during snack time.

During breakfast Saturate Fat and Added Sugar are consumed at an equal proportion of about 16 percent whereas sodium at at 14 percent. Taking the category of Sodium into consideration, people consume same amount of that nutrient during breakfast and snack. During snacks Saturated Fat is taken in at 21 percent which is low when compared to Added Sugar which is consumed at 42 percent.

Sugar is added least to the body during lunch with only 19 percent while the other nutrients have only 3 percent difference which sodium being the highest that is of 29 percent. For dinner all the nutrients are taking in at high quantity except for Added Sugar which is only consumed at 23 percent. Sodium is consumed more which 43 percent and Saturated Fat is of 37 percent.

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 the four meal categories. You successfully highlight key comparisons, such as the high proportion of added sugar during snacks and the dominance of sodium at dinner. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, cohesive overview that synthesizes the data effectively. While you mention the main trends, the report would benefit from a more analytical approach that groups the data points more logically rather than listing percentages sequentially. The initial summary is a bit brief, and some figures could be interpreted with more precision to better highlight the 'unhealthy' aspect mentioned in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed. You use some cohesive devices, but they are sometimes repetitive or used in a mechanical way. For example, the transition between the breakfast and snack analysis feels abrupt. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to show contrast or addition more naturally. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more tightly linked to ensure a smoother logical progression throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'consumed', and 'nutrients' correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'mediocre rates' is not appropriate in this context; 'average percentages' would be more accurate. Additionally, 'taking in at high quantity' is slightly awkward; 'consumed in high quantities' would be more natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise academic collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. Spelling is generally accurate, but the range of vocabulary remains somewhat limited.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'sodium at at 14 percent' (repetition), 'people consume same amount' (missing article), and 'with 43 percent and Saturated Fat is of 37 percent' (awkward phrasing). These errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with greater precision and fewer minor slips.

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

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