Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-02
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 pie diagram illustrate the proportion average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar in typical meals consume in the USA.
Overall, both sodium and saturated fat most consumed in dinner and both least consumed in breakfast however, in snack also least consumption of sodium. But large utilization of sugar in snack time and small intake in breakfast time.
On the one hand, half of the proportion in sodium taken by dinner is 43%, saturated fat also utilize in dinner 37% compares with sugar intake maximum consumption in snack time 42% by US population. But the less preference consumption of sodium in breakfast is 14% and also least consumption of saturated fat in breakfast time is 16% and sugar also less popular in breakfast time is 16%.
On the other hand, the moderate consumption of sodium in lunch time is 29% however, moderate intake of saturated fat in snack time 21% a and in lunch time is 26% and sugar moderate utilisation of sugar in dinner time is 23% and in lunch time 19%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
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 categories. You successfully highlight the dominance of dinner for sodium and saturated fats, and the high sugar content in snacks. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview of the data. While you mention some comparisons, the presentation is somewhat fragmented. To reach a higher band, ensure you group the data more logically rather than listing percentages in a repetitive manner. The summary of the main trends could be more synthesised to provide a clearer 'big picture' for the reader.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, the transition 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' is used incorrectly here, as these phrases are typically used to contrast two opposing arguments rather than to list data points. Additionally, some sentences are disjointed, such as 'saturated fat also utilize in dinner 37% compares with sugar intake'. Improving the flow between sentences using more varied linking words would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'large utilization of sugar' instead of 'high consumption' or 'less preference consumption'. You also repeat words like 'consumption' and 'intake' frequently. To improve, try to use a wider range of synonyms and collocations related to data description, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'a significant proportion'. Some minor errors in word form, such as 'pie diagram' (usually 'pie chart'), also occur.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('The pie diagram illustrate'), missing articles ('in snack time'), and awkward sentence construction ('saturated fat also utilize in dinner 37%'). There are also punctuation errors, such as the stray 'a' in the final paragraph. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence structure and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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