Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-06

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 6.0)

The pie charts illustrate the proportions in typical meals of three types of nutrients consumed in the USA, all of which may be harmful if eaten too much.

Overall, it is clear that the US citizens consume Sodium and Saturated fat a lot in the dinner, whilst added sugar has the biggest proportion in snack. By contrast the three nutrients show the lowest proportions in breakfast.

According to what is shown, people eat 14% of sodium in both Snack and breakfast which are considered as the lowest percentage in this chart, 29% in lunch and 43% in dinner as the biggest proportion.

In terms of Saturated fat, figures demonstrate that individuals consume 21% in snack, 16% in breakfast, 26% in lunch and 37% in dinner.

As for Added sugar, the Americans eat 42% in snack which is the dominant nutrient , 16% in breakfast, 19% in lunch and 23% in dinner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all three nutrients and the four meal categories, successfully identifying the main features and trends. The overview is clear and highlights the key differences between the meals. However, the report is somewhat mechanical, listing data points rather than synthesising the information into a more analytical summary. For instance, the paragraphing is quite fragmented, and the comparison could be more sophisticated by grouping the data more effectively. While all parts of the task are addressed, the development of the comparison is limited, which prevents it from reaching a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is coherent and follows a logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific nutrient, which makes the information easy to follow. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'In terms of', 'As for', 'According to what is shown'). There is a lack of variety in linking phrases, and the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. Paragraphing is present, but the structure feels a bit disjointed due to the heavy reliance on listing statistics rather than weaving them into a cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey the necessary information clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'proportions', 'dominant', and 'nutrients'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'consume... a lot' and 'biggest proportion'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise academic vocabulary and avoid informal phrasing. The spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate and communication is not impeded, there are some minor errors, such as missing articles ('in snack' instead of 'in snacks') and awkward phrasing ('the three nutrients show the lowest proportions in breakfast'). The control of punctuation is generally good, but the sentence variety is somewhat restricted. The majority of sentences are error-free, but the lack of more complex, error-free structures limits the score in this criterion.

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

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