Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
The pie charts illustrate the regular consumption of three distinct kinds of nutrients in the USA, namely sodium, saturated fats and added sugar.
Overall, it is clear that the two nutrients, sodium and saturated fats were consumed in large amount in the dinner while, added sugar was mostly eaten during snacks time. Meanwhile, sodium consumption in snacks, saturated fat and added sugar in breakfast accounted for the lowest proportion.
In terms of eating sodium, the percentage during dinner time dominates the graph by 43% and a slightly lower value of 29% in lunch. Breakfast and snacks held an equal value of 14%.
A large chunk of saturated fat was consumed in dinner with an exact value of 37% then, in lunch, snacks and breakfast it was 26%,21% and 16% respectively.
Added sugar was eaten the most in savoury items like snacks with a percentage of 42% followed by a less rate in dinner that is 23%. Also, proportion for lunch and breakfast was 19 and 16 percent respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the three pie charts. You have identified key trends, such as the high consumption of sodium and saturated fats at dinner and the prevalence of added sugar in snacks. Comparisons are made throughout, which is a requirement for this task. The data is accurately reported, and the overview provides a clear summary of the information. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview is even more distinct from the body paragraphs and consider grouping the data more analytically rather than listing figures for each category sequentially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to each nutrient. Cohesive devices such as 'In terms of', 'Meanwhile', and 'followed by' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. Additionally, some sentences are slightly mechanical in their structure. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the progression of ideas is clear throughout the text, making the information easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'proportion', 'dominates', and 'savoury items'. There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'less rate' instead of 'lower rate' or 'lower percentage'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more varied reporting verbs and precise descriptors for the data trends, avoiding repetitive phrasing when discussing percentages.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'the two nutrients, sodium and saturated fats were consumed' (missing a comma after 'fats') and 'proportion for lunch and breakfast was 19 and 16 percent respectively' (missing 'the' before 'proportion'). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are occasional errors in comma usage. The majority of sentences are error-free, but the range of complex structures is somewhat limited.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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