Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04
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 information about the mean proportion of typical meals of sodium,saturated fat and added sugar,all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much is demonstrated by pie charts .
Overall, the highest number sodium consumed by individuals at dinner and sodium taken by human beings at breakfast and snacks was lowest.
Sodium consumed by people at dinner time was 43% recorded at peak.while, sodium consumed by humans at breakfast and snacks 14%, which was at lowest. The ratio of added sugar consumed by humans in snacks was 42% , which was double than saturated fat.
The similar proportion of saturated fat and added sugar eat at breakfast by human beings was 16%. The ratio of saturated fat at dinner and lunch and sodium at lunch eaten by humans was 26%, 29% and 37% , respectively. The added sugar consumed by individuals at dinner and lunch almost near about 24%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, but the presentation is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you identified the highest and lowest values, the comparison between the three nutrients is disjointed. The data reporting is occasionally inaccurate; for instance, stating that the ratio of added sugar in snacks was 'double than saturated fat' is not supported by the provided data. Furthermore, the summary lacks a cohesive synthesis of the trends, making it difficult for the reader to grasp the overall patterns of nutrient consumption across the different meal times. To improve, focus on grouping related data points more logically and ensuring that your comparisons are mathematically precise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical flow between sentences is weak. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes misused, such as the awkward transition 'while, sodium consumed by humans at breakfast and snacks 14%'. The referencing is also unclear at times, particularly when discussing multiple categories in a single sentence. The progression of ideas feels disjointed because the data is presented as a list of facts rather than a structured comparison. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus, such as grouping by nutrient or by meal time.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use the phrase 'consumed by humans' or 'consumed by individuals', which becomes monotonous. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'recorded at peak' and 'eat at breakfast', which are not natural in an academic context. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You should aim to use more varied reporting verbs and nouns to describe the data, such as 'intake', 'proportion', 'accounted for', or 'constituted'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include missing articles ('the highest number sodium'), incorrect verb forms ('eat at breakfast'), and punctuation errors, such as the inconsistent use of commas and periods. The sentence 'The added sugar consumed by individuals at dinner and lunch almost near about 24%' is grammatically incomplete and awkward. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions. Proofreading for basic sentence structure and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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