Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The pie charts below illustrate the average proportions of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar in four types of meals used in the USA, these are not healthy if consume too much.
Overall, it can be seen that added sugar represented largest proportion in snack. However saturated fat is highly used in dinner as well as sodium. While all three nutrients are less used in breakfast.
To begin with, use of sodium in breakfast and snack both accounted same percentage each for 14%. in lunch
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 85 words. Consequently, the response is significantly underdeveloped. While the introduction attempts to paraphrase the prompt, the body paragraphs are incomplete and fragmented, particularly the final sentence which cuts off abruptly. The report fails to provide a comprehensive summary of the data, missing key comparisons and failing to present a clear overview of the trends across all four meal types. Due to the severe lack of length and incomplete analysis, the response does not adequately address the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks a logical structure. While there is an attempt at paragraphing, the ideas are not well-sequenced or developed. Cohesive devices are used in a very limited and mechanical way, such as 'To begin with', but the flow is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the sentences. Referencing is unclear, and the lack of a coherent conclusion or sufficient body content makes the overall progression difficult to follow. The text feels like a collection of disjointed observations rather than a cohesive report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases such as 'highly used' and 'less used' are imprecise and do not accurately describe the data in the charts. There are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'meals used in the USA' instead of 'meals consumed in the USA'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands, as the student relies on simple, functional language that does not effectively convey the nuances of the data provided.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('added sugar represented largest proportion') and awkward phrasing ('if consume too much' instead of 'if consumed'). Punctuation is also problematic, with run-on sentences and missing articles. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. The incomplete final sentence further demonstrates a lack of control over sentence structure and grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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