Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The given representation demonstrates the average proportion of three nutrients in different types of meals which would be harmful if they are eaten more than enough.

To begin with dinner, it contains most amount of sodium and saturated fat at 43% and 37%, respectively. Whereas it contains 23% of added sugar. Moreover lunch, it contains 29% of sodium, 26% of saturated fat and 19% of added sugar.

Moving further to breakfast and snacks which contains same amount of sodium at 14% which is the lowest amount of sodium used among different meals. Whereas, snacks and breakfast contains 21% and 16% of saturated fat, respectively. Moreover, breakfast contains 16% of added sugar and snacks contains the most amount of added sugar at 42%.

Overall, the highest amount of sodium and saturated fat is used in dinner and the least are used in breakfast. Whereas added sugar is used mostly in snacks and least used in breakfast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features of the three nutrients across the four meal types. You have successfully highlighted the key trends, such as dinner having the highest sodium and saturated fat, and snacks containing the most added sugar. However, the report is somewhat mechanical, listing data points rather than synthesising them into a more analytical summary. To reach a higher band, ensure you group the data more effectively and provide a more comprehensive overview in the introduction or summary paragraph, rather than just stating the facts. The comparison between categories is present but could be more sophisticated.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'Overall' to structure the response. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes repetitive, particularly in the third paragraph where the structure 'contains... whereas... contains' is used repeatedly. Improving the variety of linking words and using referencing (e.g., 'the former', 'the latter') would improve the cohesion. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more fluid to avoid a list-like feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on the word 'contains' throughout the text. While you use some accurate terminology like 'proportion', 'nutrients', and 'saturated fat', the range is not wide enough to demonstrate flexibility. To improve, try to use synonyms for 'contains' (e.g., 'comprises', 'accounts for', 'is composed of') and vary your descriptive language. There are no significant spelling errors, but the lexical range remains at a functional level rather than a sophisticated one.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'Moving further to breakfast and snacks which contains same amount' should be 'which contain the same amount'. Additionally, 'the least are used in breakfast' is slightly awkward; 'the lowest levels are found in breakfast' would be more natural. There are also issues with article usage, such as 'most amount' instead of 'the highest amount'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

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