Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-10
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 chart illustrates fractions of 3 type of nutrients sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in meals consumed in the US, which are not good for body when consumed in greater quantity.
Overall, there are four timings usually intended for food consumption namely breakfast lunch and dinner with the addition of a small snack time hour anywhere within the day.
The graph demonstrates that the percentage of sodium intake through food is highest on dinner time and snack time which constitutes of only 14% of sodium contents. During breakfast just a little bit of sodium such as 14 % is taken in. Lunchtime is very important for both adults and young people because it is mostly done with friends or family. In the given data it is represented by a fraction of 29%.
A second type of nutrient a form of lipids called Saturated fats is found in animal fats which are beneficial for body functioning if consumed in right amounts. However, consuming it in higher amounts may be detrimental to health. Their consumption is greater at dinner time which is about 37% and the lowest during breakfast that is a portion of 16% approximately.
Another kind of nutrient is added sugar which is recorded as the highest consumed during snack time. It is indicated by a percentage of 42% and by a portion of 16% during breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying the highest and lowest consumption points for each nutrient. However, the analysis is somewhat uneven. The inclusion of irrelevant information, such as the social context of lunchtime ('mostly done with friends or family'), detracts from the focus on the data. Furthermore, the comparison between nutrients is limited; the response treats each nutrient in isolation rather than synthesizing the data effectively. While the main trends are identified, the lack of a clear, comparative overview of the three nutrients together prevents a higher score. The data points are generally accurate, but the reporting lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive. For instance, the transition between paragraphs relies on simple phrases like 'A second type of nutrient' and 'Another kind of nutrient'. While the paragraphing is logical, the internal flow within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider range of linking words to connect the data points more fluidly. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure feels somewhat disjointed due to the lack of sophisticated cohesive links.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the data points and nutrients clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'detrimental' and 'constitutes', which are used correctly. However, there are also instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'fractions of 3 type of nutrients' (should be 'proportions of three types') and 'timings usually intended for food consumption'. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Spelling is generally accurate, but the phrasing is occasionally awkward.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the' is missing before 'dinner time') and pluralization ('3 type of nutrients'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'During breakfast just a little bit of sodium such as 14 % is taken in.' Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication. The student demonstrates an ability to use complex structures, but the control over these structures is inconsistent, leading to a band 6 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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