Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03
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 chart below illustrates the average percentage of three types of nutrients in typical meals, namely sodium, saturated fat and added sugar, which if consumed in large amounts could be unhealthy.
These nutrients are divided in the meals we have in the day ranging from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.
The percentages vary in the meals and the time we have them. It can be noticed that 43% of the overall food has sodium percentages when consumed by individuals at the time of dinner. For the average percentages calculated, total of 28% gets divided in snacks and breakfast and in lunch the percentage gets up to 29%.
For Saturated fats, the percentages are 21% in snacks, 16% in breakfast and 26% in lunch and the highest percentage calculated was in dinner,37%.
Added sugars had the most average percentages consumed, that were 42% in snacks, and then for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it varied by 16, 19 and 23 percent.
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 covers all three nutrients and identifies the main features, such as the high sodium content at dinner and the high sugar content in snacks. However, the reporting is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends. The data presentation is occasionally confusing, such as the phrase '43% of the overall food has sodium percentages', which misinterprets the chart data. To reach a higher band, you should focus on synthesizing the information rather than simply listing figures, and ensure that the comparisons are accurate and clearly linked to the specific nutrient categories provided in the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into short paragraphs, which helps readability. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive (e.g., 'For the average percentages', 'For Saturated fats', 'Added sugars had'). The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the different meal times. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the flow of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'the percentages vary' and 'the highest percentage calculated' are used frequently. There is an attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary, but the range is limited. To improve, you should incorporate more precise verbs and nouns to describe trends, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'peak at', or 'fluctuate'. Additionally, ensure that you use collocations correctly, as some phrasing, such as 'had the most average percentages', is unnatural.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder clarity. For example, 'total of 28% gets divided in snacks and breakfast' is grammatically awkward, and the punctuation around the list of percentages for added sugars is incorrect. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over complex structures and minor errors in subject-verb agreement and preposition usage prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic errors would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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