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 of 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 eaten 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 approximately 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, identifying the highest and lowest values for the nutrients across different meal times. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview. The summary provided is somewhat disjointed and fails to synthesize the data effectively. While the key figures are mentioned, the comparison between nutrients is inconsistent, and some data points are presented in a list-like fashion rather than as a cohesive summary. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant trends—such as the dominance of sodium at dinner or the high sugar content in snacks—rather than just listing individual percentages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow between sentences is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'sodium consumed by humans' and 'the ratio of'. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the progression of ideas feels disjointed. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'conversely', 'furthermore') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus rather than jumping between different nutrients and meal times.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and basic. Phrases like 'sodium consumed by humans' are used multiple times, which limits the range. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'recorded at peak' and 'at lowest'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it lacks the precision and variety expected for a higher band. To improve, try to use synonyms for 'consumed' (e.g., 'ingested', 'intake') and vary the way you describe the data (e.g., 'accounted for', 'comprised', 'represented').
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. For example, 'while, sodium consumed by humans at breakfast and snacks 14%, which was at lowest' is grammatically incomplete and lacks a main verb. There are also issues with article usage and sentence structure, such as 'The added sugar consumed by individuals at dinner and lunch approximately 24%,' which is missing a verb. These errors occasionally impede the flow of reading. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring every sentence has a clear predicate will significantly improve clarity.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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