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 three pie chart shows the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients. It consist of sodium ,saturated fat and added sugar which maybe unhealthy if consumed to much in USA.
First let's talk about sodium which is consumed 14% during the breakfast by the people. The 29% out of total is consumed for lunch, while for dinner 43% is used and for snack's the remaining 14% is used .
Saturated fat is consumed the least for breakfast which is 16%, while on the other hand 26% is consumed for lunch . The highest consumtion of saturated fat is during the dinner which is 37%. For snacks only 21% is used.
Sugar content is least in breakfast which is 16% and that of in lunch 19% is used. In dinner added sugar is consumed about 23% , on the other hand during snacks 42% was consumed.
To conclude , added sugar is consumed the highest during snacks by the people compared to sodium and saturated fat intake. Sodium and fat are consumed the highest during dinner and lunch but sugar is less consumed for both meals.
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 parts of the task by identifying the main features of the three charts. You have successfully selected and reported key data points, such as the highest and lowest percentages for each nutrient. However, the overview is somewhat weak; while you mention that sugar is highest in snacks, a more comprehensive summary would highlight the general trend that dinner is the primary source for sodium and saturated fats, while snacks dominate for added sugars. The data is generally accurate, but the analysis could be more analytical by grouping the nutrients or meals more effectively to show comparisons rather than listing figures for each category sequentially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with each nutrient discussed in its own section. There is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'First let's talk about' are too informal for an Academic Task 1 response. Additionally, the transition between sentences could be smoother; for instance, the final paragraph attempts to compare the nutrients but uses somewhat clunky phrasing ('Sodium and fat are consumed the highest during dinner and lunch but sugar is less consumed for both meals'). Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to convey the necessary information. You use topic-specific terms like 'nutrients', 'sodium', 'saturated fat', and 'added sugar'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'consumtion' instead of 'consumption' and 'snack's' (incorrect use of an apostrophe). The range is somewhat limited, relying on repetitive verbs like 'consumed' and 'used'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms such as 'intake', 'account for', 'comprise', or 'constitute' to describe the data more precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The three pie chart shows' should be 'charts show') and article usage ('in USA' should be 'in the USA'). There are also punctuation errors, such as unnecessary spaces before commas ('sodium ,saturated'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article placement would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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