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 pie chart illustrates information about the amount of nutrients contained in particular meals in the USA. Which may affect overall health if consumed too much.
The pie chart shows the percentage of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar is present in typical meals of people in the USA. It gives information about nutrients that are consumed most by the Americans.
Alone dinner contains more amount of sodium than breakfast and snack combined. While lunch contains a moderate level of sodium, around 29 %.
For saturated fat again dinner contains the highest percentage of saturated fat. However lunch contains 29 % of saturated fat; breakfast and snack combined contain around 37% of saturated fat.
For sugar, snack is the meal that has the highest amount of sugar which is 42 % while breakfast is the least sugary meal of the day for the Americans. While, lunch and dinner combine contains 42 % of sugar that is equals to snacks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying key trends for sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, relying on listing percentages rather than synthesising the data effectively. The introduction is weak, containing a sentence fragment ('Which may affect...') and failing to clearly state what the charts represent. While the main features are identified, the comparison between categories could be more sophisticated. The report lacks a clear overview or summary statement that highlights the most significant trends across the three nutrients, which is essential for a higher band score in Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and limited use of cohesive devices. The transition between ideas is often abrupt, such as the shift between nutrients. While there is an attempt to use linking words like 'While' and 'However', the overall flow is somewhat disjointed. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the paragraphing is basic. To improve, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices to connect sentences and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'amount', 'contains', and 'highest'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'Alone dinner' (which should be 'Dinner alone') and 'combine contains' (which should be 'combined contain'). The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise reporting verbs and descriptive adjectives to characterise the data trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally impede clarity. For example, the opening sentence is a fragment, and there are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'lunch and dinner combine contains'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. You should focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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