Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The three pie charts illustrate the average proportions in typical meals of three types of nutrients sodium, saturated fat, contained in four different type of meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contained the highest proportion in added sugar. Breakfast generally has the lowest proportions for all three nutrients.

In terms of sodium, dinner makes up the highest percentage, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snack each contained 14%. A similar can be seen for saturated fat. Dinner represent 37%, while lunch and snack contribute 26% and 21% respectively. Breakfast is the smallest proportion, at 16%.

The figure for added sugar, snacks account for the largest share, at 42%, which is considerably higher than the proportion of dinner 23% and lunch 19%. Breakfast contributes the remaining 16%, making it the smallest contributor in the added sugar. Therefore, snacks are rise steadily in the terms of sugar consumption, whereas dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided a clear overview. You accurately compared the data across the three nutrient categories and four meal types. The key trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source of added sugar, are well-highlighted. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are accurately transcribed; for instance, you mentioned 'snacks are rise steadily', which is not a trend shown in a static pie chart. Focus on describing the proportions as they appear rather than implying a temporal progression.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'In terms of', 'followed by', and 'whereas' to link ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different nutrients. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the final sentence of the third paragraph is a bit confusing in its phrasing. Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'largest proportion', 'considerably higher', and 'main source' are used effectively. There are some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'snacks are rise steadily' (should be 'snacks account for the highest share') and 'four different type of meals' (should be 'types'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise academic collocations would help elevate the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'A similar can be seen' (should be 'A similar trend can be seen') and 'Dinner represent' (subject-verb agreement error: 'represents'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article usage issues throughout the text. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed without missing auxiliary verbs or prepositions.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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