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 snacks accounted for the highest proportion in added sugar. By contrast, breakfast recorded a 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 snacks recorded the lowest proportion in sodium, representing just 14%, breakfast also represented the lowest percentage in saturated fat, at 16%.
Turning to added sugar, snacks 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 | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively summarizes the main features of the charts. You have successfully identified the key trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source of added sugar. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the data. You have made relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the high proportions in dinner with the lower figures for breakfast. The data is accurately reported, and the response covers all parts of the task well. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully integrated; for instance, you could further emphasize the contrast between the nutrient profiles of snacks versus dinner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'By contrast', 'Regarding', and 'Turning to' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the information. The referencing is generally clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The structure is coherent, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the overall arrangement is logical and well-managed throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Terms like 'proportions', 'excessively', 'moderate', and 'substances' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it is somewhat standard. To improve, you could incorporate more varied and precise collocations or synonyms to describe the data, such as 'predominant source' instead of 'highest figures' or 'marginal' instead of 'relatively low'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response displays a good control of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'While the charts illustrate... dinner accounted for...'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structure is clear. There are a few minor issues, such as the comma splice in '...at 42%, following this, dinner and lunch stood at 23%...', which would be better as a semicolon or a new sentence. However, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and the grammar does not interfere with the clarity of the report. The range of structures is sufficient for the task.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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