Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-31
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 tree charts depicting the consuming method of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar per day in USA.
Overall, it is observed that dinner time meals added higher sodium and saturated fat . While added sugar was found in a large amount in snack time. Others remains moderate through all the times.
At a glance, people in USA are consuming most amount of sodium and saturated fat foods during dinner by 43% and 37% respectively. While in terms of added sugar, its amount remains moderate during breakfast by 16%, lunch 19% following the dinner have more amount of added sugar by 23%. On the other hand, snacks meal experienced an high amount of added sugar by 42% . USA's public consuming more unhealthy diet at dinner time.
In regards of saturated food, breakfast diet with 16%. snacks 21% and lucnh liitle bit higher from them by 26% and at dinner time it appeared that among 37% public saturated fat was consumed.
Overview, dinner meals got more unhealthy nutrients among all other .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying the highest percentages for each nutrient. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, cohesive overview. While you mention that dinner is the most unhealthy time, the data reporting is inconsistent. For example, you state that added sugar is 42% for snacks, but the comparison between meals is slightly disjointed. To improve, ensure you group the data more logically—perhaps by nutrient or by meal—and provide a more precise summary of the trends rather than listing figures in isolation. The introduction is also incomplete, as it lacks a verb to describe the charts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is divided into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'At a glance' and 'In regards of'. The progression of ideas is sometimes confusing, particularly in the final paragraph where the sentence structure is fragmented. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between the different nutrients could be smoother. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that flows logically into the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is repetitive and lacks precision. Phrases like 'consuming method' and 'added higher sodium' are unnatural. There are also several errors in word choice, such as 'lucnh liitle bit higher' and 'among 37% public'. While you attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary, the lack of variety and the frequent errors in collocation limit the score. To improve, focus on learning collocations related to data description, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Others remains'), incorrect preposition usage ('in regards of'), and sentence fragments (e.g., 'Overview, dinner meals got more unhealthy nutrients among all other'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and periods. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.