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 charts illustrates the proportion of typical meals of three of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Overall, it is evident that mostly people eaten a sodium while taking a dinner while added sugar are least eat in dinner. individual prefer to eat least amount of sodium in snack and breakfast time while added sugar is less use in breakfast.
In USA, individuals used to eat sodium mostly in dinner time which is around 43% while 14% sodium eat in snack time. In lunch time, people who use to eat sodium that percentage around 29%. Saturated fat is less eat by people in breakfast time which is around 16%. while dinner time that nutrient is mostly eaten by people that proportion around 37%.
Added sugar is mostly eat by people in snacks time around 42% while this nutrient is less eat in breakfast time around 16%. In dinner time, there is 23% added sugar eaten by people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the task by identifying the main features of the charts. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, cohesive overview. While the key data points are mentioned, the comparison between the nutrients is not fully developed. The summary provided in the second paragraph is slightly confusing due to grammatical errors, which obscures the main trends. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant differences or similarities across the categories rather than just listing individual percentages. The response covers all parts of the prompt, but the lack of analytical depth limits the score.
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 mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the repetitive use of 'while' and 'which is'. The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the second paragraph where the transition between the general overview and the specific data is abrupt. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult to track which nutrient is being discussed in certain sentences. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear logical flow between sentences would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'eat', 'people', and 'time'. There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'mostly people eaten a sodium' and 'added sugar is less use'. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary related to data description, such as 'consumption', 'proportion', 'account for', and 'constitute'. Avoid repeating the same verbs and nouns throughout the text; instead, use synonyms to demonstrate a more flexible range of language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. There are consistent issues with verb tense and form, such as 'mostly people eaten' instead of 'most people consume' and 'added sugar is least eat' instead of 'added sugar is consumed the least'. Subject-verb agreement is also problematic throughout the text. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, these are often faulty, leading to awkward phrasing. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing data. Reducing the frequency of these errors is essential for achieving a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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