Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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 given pie chart illustrates the average ratio in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much :

The first category is sodium which is symbolised as Na. The amount of sodium consumed in breakfast is 14% in snacks the ratio is same is as that of breakfast, meanwhile in lunch the percentile is 29% on the other hand, in dinner the consumption is the highest which turns out to be 43%.

The another category is saturated fat, in snacks the ratio of saturated fat is 21% whereas in breakfast, the consumption of saturated fat is 16% whereas in lunch the ratio is 26% on the other hand, amount of saturated fat in dinner, is 37%.

The third category is added sugar, in breakfast the amount of added sugar is 16% whereas in lunch the ratio is 19% meanwhile in dinner the percentile of added sugar is 23% on the other hand in snacks the percentile is 42% which is the highest of all.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers all three categories and provides data for each meal type. However, it lacks a clear overview or summary of the main trends, which is a requirement for Task 1. The report is essentially a list of data points rather than a synthesis of information. While the figures are accurate, the lack of comparative analysis—such as noting that dinner is the highest for both sodium and saturated fats—limits the score. To improve, you should group the data more effectively and include an introductory sentence that highlights the most significant trends across the charts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is repetitive and mechanical. Each paragraph follows the same rigid pattern of listing percentages, which makes the writing feel like a list rather than a cohesive report. There is a lack of varied cohesive devices; the frequent use of 'whereas' and 'on the other hand' becomes monotonous. The transition between sentences is often abrupt, and the lack of an overview makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. Using a wider variety of linking words and focusing on grouping related data would significantly improve the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. Terms like 'ratio', 'percentage', and 'consumption' are used frequently, and there are some inaccuracies, such as using 'percentile' when referring to percentages. The phrase 'symbolised as Na' is unnecessary in this context. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise and varied vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'peak at', or 'remain stable'. The current range is adequate for basic communication but lacks the flexibility required for higher scores.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are several punctuation errors, such as missing commas and incorrect spacing before colons. Some sentences are run-on or lack proper conjunctions, such as 'in snacks the ratio is same is as that of breakfast, meanwhile in lunch the percentile is 29%'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the presence of frequent grammatical slips prevent a higher score. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic punctuation would be beneficial.

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

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