Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-05
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 5.0)
The pie charts illustrate the average proportions in typical meals of three modes of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Overall, it is clear that sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA, where dinner was the highest percentage among meals in the three nutrients, followed by lunch which was common than other meals. In contrast, breakfast was the least popular meal in the USA.
Looking first at snack, the proportion was more in added sugar with 42 percent, followed by dinner was about 23 percent. However, in saturated fat dinner was the highest consumed in the USA with 37 percent, followed by lunch was about 26 percent.
Similarly, in the sodium, dinner was the more much eaten by individuals was about 43 percentage. In contrast, the least eaten was snack and breakfast with same 14 percent. Moreover, in the USA, from three types of nutrients, all which may harmful if eaten too much, dinner was the most consumed meal, and the lowest consumed was breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the task by identifying the main features and making comparisons. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. While you correctly identify that dinner is a significant meal, the description of the data is occasionally inaccurate or confusing, such as stating 'followed by lunch which was common than other meals' or the repetitive phrasing regarding the nutrients. The overview is present but lacks clarity in its synthesis of the data. To improve, ensure that comparisons are precise and that you clearly distinguish between the three different nutrient categories rather than grouping them in a way that obscures the specific data points provided in the charts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, phrases like 'Looking first at snack' and 'Similarly, in the sodium' feel forced and do not always lead to a logical flow of information. There are also issues with referencing; the text often repeats the same information about dinner being the most consumed meal without adding new insight. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence builds logically upon the previous one would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs like 'eaten' and 'consumed' and struggle with accurate collocations. For instance, 'the more much eaten' is grammatically incorrect and lexically awkward. There is also a lack of precision in describing statistical data; using 'percentage' incorrectly (e.g., '43 percentage') and repeating 'highest' and 'lowest' without using synonyms or varied descriptive language limits your score. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'accounted for,' 'constituted,' or 'the largest proportion.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. There are issues with sentence structure, such as 'followed by lunch which was common than other meals,' which is a comparative error. You also struggle with subject-verb agreement and preposition usage, such as 'in the sodium' instead of 'regarding sodium.' While you attempt some complex structures, they are often faulty, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction and ensure that your comparisons (e.g., 'more than,' 'less than') are grammatically sound before attempting more complex, multi-clause sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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