Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-12
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 5.0)
The chart illustrate the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of these maybe unhealthy if consume too much.
Pie chart where sodium take in highest ratio is 43% in dinner time ,relatively less during lunch time which is almost 29% but in breakfast and particularly night time snack ratio is same which is 14%.if we look at the saturated fat which has highest ratio at dinner time and lowest at breakfast time .In between lunch and snack time almost same 26%,21% containing.
At last sugar intake were at least at breakfast time 16% but highest even after dinner as a snack which is 42%.In. between at lunch or dinner time relatively low sugar intake with respect to the snacks 19% and 23% .
if we look at these three pie charts where sodium and saturated fat is taking high at dinner time but sugar intake ratio is highest after dinner time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main features of the charts regarding the percentages of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in the USA. However, the reporting lacks clarity and precision. The student correctly notes that sodium and saturated fat are highest at dinner, and added sugar is highest as an after-dinner snack. However, the data points are occasionally imprecise or missing context (e.g., 'night time snack ratio is same which is 14%' without specifying for which nutrient). Furthermore, the overview is weak, as the summary paragraph is fragmented and placed at the end rather than integrated coherently. While all parts of the visual data are touched upon, the lack of well-developed comparisons places this at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The organization of the response is heavily impaired by poor paragraphing and punctuation. The text is divided into four very short, choppy paragraphs with missing or incorrect punctuation (e.g., '14%.if we look at'). There is a lack of clear progression, and sentences feel disjointed rather than logically linked. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, with repetitive connectors like 'if we look at' and 'at last'. Referencing is also weak, making it difficult to follow which nutrient is being discussed at times. Overall arrangement shows some basic organization, aligning with a Band 4.5 to 5.0 descriptor, leading to a score of 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on words like 'ratio', 'highest', 'lowest', and 'time'. There are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'sodium take in highest ratio' instead of 'sodium accounts for the highest proportion' and 'consume too much' instead of 'consumed in excess'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are limited, and lexical inaccuracies occasionally strain the reader's understanding. Spelling and word formation are generally basic. This fits the Band 5.0 descriptor, where the lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex forms that are severely flawed, such as 'Pie chart where sodium take in highest ratio is 43% in dinner time' and 'In between lunch and snack time almost same 26%,21% containing.' There are frequent errors in verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions (e.g., 'at dinner time' instead of 'for dinner', 'consume' instead of 'consumed'). Punctuation is exceptionally weak, with spaces before periods and commas, and missing capital letters at the beginning of sentences. These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar securely at a Band 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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