Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13
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 supplied pie charts illustrate the percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients including sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in the USA, while all of these may be unhealthy if consumed too much. Looking from an overall perspective it is evident that, in sodium and saturated fat the highest percentage constitute of dinner, but in added sugar the highest percentage consists of snack.
To commence with, snack and breakfast are nearly a small minority, which are lowest in sodium pie chart. Although lunch is just under a third, the highest percentage is of dinner which is a tiny half. However, in saturated fat pie chart lunch is roughly one quarter. The dinner is highest in this chart because it is over the third.
On constrast, snack is under a quarter, and breakfast is over a small minority. In added sugar chart snack is roughly the third, which is highest over the chart, while dinner is under almost a quarter. Eventhough breakfast is over a small minority, which is the lowest, lunch consists of under the quarter.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all three charts provided in the prompt, successfully identifying sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar across different meal types in the USA. The student attempts to report the main features and make comparisons, noting, for example, that dinner constitutes the highest percentage for sodium and saturated fat, whereas snack is highest for added sugar. However, the data presentation suffers from vague and imprecise language, such as 'a tiny half', 'over the third', and 'a small minority', which obscures the precise data from the charts. Some proportions are misreported or difficult to follow. Overall, the task is addressed, but the development of data points lacks precision, placing this response in Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organised into an introduction and three body paragraphs, attempting an overall progression from introduction to body details. However, the logical flow is frequently hindered by clumsy referencing and awkward cohesive devices. For instance, transitional phrases like 'To commence with' and 'On constrast' are used, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is weak. Sentences often feel disjointed, and the reader struggles to follow which chart or specific percentage is being referenced due to vague pronouns and transitions. Paragraphing is present, but the overall progression lacks smooth control, resulting in a Band 5.0 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to discuss the task topic, using terms such as 'nutrients', 'percentages', 'sodium', 'saturated fat', and 'added sugar'. However, there are notable limitations and awkward collocations, such as 'constitute of', 'pie chart' (when referring to the visual data), and strange fractions like 'a tiny half' or 'over a small minority'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but word choices lack the precision required for higher bands. The lexical control is minimally adequate for the task, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'although' and 'while'. However, grammatical control is shaky, featuring frequent errors such as 'the highest percentage constitute of dinner', 'in saturated fat pie chart lunch is roughly one quarter', and 'Eventhough breakfast is over a small minority, which is the lowest, lunch consists of under the quarter.' Preposition and article errors are also common. While these errors do not completely obscure the meaning, their frequency places the grammar firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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