Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-01
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 7.5)
The three pie charts illustrate the average proportions in daily meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten excessively.
Overall, dinner accounted for the highest figures in sodium and saturated fat, while snack accounted for the highest proportion in added sugar. By contrast, breakfast recorded relatively low proportion in all three substances, whereas lunch represented a moderate proportion.
Regarding the sodium and saturated fat pie charts, dinner recorded the highest proportion in both pie charts, at 43%. Following this, lunch recorded the second-highest proportion, at 29% and 26%, respectively. In contrast, breakfast and snack recorded the lowest proportion in sodium, representing just 14%, breakfast also represented the lowest percentage in saturated fat, at 16%.
Turning to added sugar, snack accounted for the highest figures, standing at 42%, following this, dinner and lunch stood at 23% and 19%, respectively. By contrast, breakfast recorded the lowest figures, at just 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly identified the main features of the charts and provided relevant comparisons between the three nutrients. The overview paragraph successfully highlights the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source for sodium and saturated fats, while snacks dominate added sugar intake. The data is accurately reported, and the comparisons are logical. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently provide specific data points for all categories mentioned; for instance, you mentioned breakfast and snacks for sodium but only provided one figure for both, which could be clarified further to ensure complete coverage of the data provided in the charts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on specific nutrient groups. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you make good use of cohesive devices such as 'By contrast,' 'Regarding,' and 'Turning to.' Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different categories of nutrients. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'recorded the highest proportion.' Varying your linking phrases and referencing techniques would improve the flow and make the cohesion feel more natural and less mechanical, which is necessary for the highest band scores.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision. Terms like 'proportions,' 'excessively,' 'substances,' and 'moderate' are used appropriately. You successfully avoid repeating the same verbs by using 'accounted for,' 'recorded,' and 'represented.' While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to data description, such as 'constitute a significant portion' or 'the figures for X are eclipsed by Y.' Overall, the lexical range is adequate and does not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, and your punctuation is generally accurate. There are very few errors, and those present do not hinder understanding. For example, the sentence structure in the final paragraph is clear and well-managed. To improve, ensure that you avoid comma splices or run-on sentences; for instance, 'following this, dinner and lunch stood at 23% and 19%, respectively' would be better as two separate sentences or joined with a semicolon. Overall, the grammatical accuracy is strong, with frequent error-free sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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