Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The following pie chart illustrates the percentage of nutrients which are consumed in USA .
Overall, mainly 3 types of nutrients are consumed by the people including sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar. Moreover, it is seen the consumption of all three nutrients are almost same during the breakfast.
A closure look at the diagram elucidates , Sodium is consumed highest during dinner which is 43%. While saturated fats are consumed less by 37% and going to lowest sugar is utilized less during dinner accounting with 23%. Going further, during breakfast all the nutrients are been consumed by the people by 14%,16% and 16% respectively.
Looking to the percentage of nutrients consumed during lunch , sodium is used most by 29% saturated fat with 26% and added sugar with 19%. During the brunch only 14% of sodium and 21% of saturated fat are been consumed while on the other hand added sugar are the most which are been utilized and consumed by the people during their brunch.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the task by summarizing the provided charts. However, the analysis is inconsistent and contains inaccuracies. For instance, you state that all nutrients are consumed at 14%, 16%, and 16% during breakfast, but the charts show different values. Furthermore, the description of the 'brunch' category is vague and lacks precise data reporting. While you attempt to identify main features, the lack of accuracy in reporting the figures hinders the clarity of the summary. To improve, ensure that data points are transcribed precisely from the charts and that comparisons are made between the meals rather than just listing percentages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression is sometimes disrupted by awkward phrasing and mechanical use of cohesive devices. Phrases like 'A closure look' and 'Going further' are used to transition between ideas, but they feel somewhat unnatural. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the different meal categories. 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 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward word choice, such as 'utilised' when referring to food consumption and 'closure look' instead of 'closer look'. Additionally, the repetition of 'consumed' and 'people' limits the range of your expression. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'consumption' (e.g., intake, ingestion) and use more precise descriptive language to characterize the trends shown in the charts.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'the consumption of all three nutrients are almost same' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'all the nutrients are been consumed' (incorrect passive voice construction). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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