Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The charts illustrates the average proportions of standard meals of three distinct sectors of nutrients in the USA , including sodium , saturated fat and added sugar . However , consuming it extremely can be unhealthy .
Overall , the sodium took up the largest share in dinner and a moderate figures in meals while , saturated fat and added sugar were slightly lower than sodium.
On the one hand , the sodium accounted for the highest percentage of dinner at 43% ,but snack and breakfast were the lowest about 14% similar in both meals . Lunch were made up of 29% share in sodium.Furthermore , the saturated fat was substantially more than sodium in snack at 21% , yet the breakfast remained as same as sodium in proportion about 14%. while dinner and lunch were about 37% and 26% respectively.
On the other hand , the added sugar was consumed in usa was having snack share ar 42% meanwhile , breakfast was eaten less around 14% . Moreover , lunch wa
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the charts but is incomplete, as it cuts off mid-sentence at the end. While it identifies some key features, the analysis is hampered by the unfinished nature of the report. The overview provided is somewhat vague, and the comparison between nutrients is not fully developed. To improve, you must ensure you complete the summary of all three categories and provide a more cohesive synthesis of the data rather than simply listing percentages. The lack of a concluding summary or a fully developed final paragraph significantly impacts the overall task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand', but these are not always used logically or effectively. Paragraphing is present, but the abrupt ending makes the overall structure feel disjointed. The progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'the sodium took up the largest share in dinner and a moderate figures in meals'. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, completed focus will help improve the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely on repetitive phrasing like 'took up the largest share' and 'accounted for'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'consuming it extremely' instead of 'excessive consumption' and 'moderate figures in meals'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'percentage', 'proportion', and 'share', and ensure that your word choices are contextually accurate. The range is currently limited, which restricts your ability to convey information with sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The charts illustrates', 'Lunch were made up of'), incorrect preposition usage, and punctuation errors. The sentence structure is often clunky, which occasionally makes the meaning difficult to follow. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your sentences are punctuated correctly. Reducing the frequency of these errors will significantly improve the clarity and professional tone of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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