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 three pie charts illustrate the proportion of meals in the USA, which are divided into three nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten in excess.
Overall, In the USA sodium is consumed primarily in dinner among all the nutrients. In contrast, saturated fat in typical meals is the least eaten nutrient in breakfast.
In the USA, people are having sodium mostly in dinner accounting for 43%. Whereas, this figure is considerably lower in snack and breakfast representing an equal proportion of 14%. Added sugar on the other hand, is mostly eaten at snack made to 42% and 23% at dinner. While most of the saturated fat is eaten at dinner with 37% of the proportion, it stood at the bottom at breakfast representing to 16%.
Sodium at lunch time is taken almost twice as high as breakfast. Whereas, saturated fat is consumed at breakfast is slightly lower than the snacks an
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by summarizing the provided charts concerning the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in typical US meals. Key features are reported, such as sodium consumption peaking at dinner (43%) and added sugar peaking at snacks (42%). However, the overview is somewhat confused, claiming incorrectly that sodium is consumed primarily in dinner 'among all the nutrients' instead of focusing on the meal categories. Furthermore, the report is incomplete because it cuts off abruptly mid-sentence at the end, leaving comparisons regarding lunch and snacks unfinished. This places the response firmly within Band 5, as it addresses the task only partially and contains under-developed ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response makes an attempt at organization by dividing information into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, logical progression is hindered by confusing relational transitions like 'Whereas, this figure is considerably lower' and an abrupt truncation at the end. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'While' are used, but referencing is sometimes unclear, and the paragraphing breaks down due to the unfinished final sentence. This level of organization reflects Band 5, where there is some structure, but overall progression is flawed and cohesive devices are occasionally inadequate or mechanical.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student employs a minimally adequate vocabulary suitable for reporting statistical data, using terms like 'proportion', 'considerably lower', and 'representing an equal proportion'. However, there are awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'made to 42%' instead of 'accounting for 42%' or 'reaching 42%', and 'stood at the bottom at breakfast representing to 16%'. The range is limited and repetitive, but communication is generally maintained despite the noticeable errors in collocation and preposition usage. This corresponds to a Band 5 descriptor where the vocabulary is restricted but sufficient for basic meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory dependent clauses ('While most of the saturated fat is eaten...'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, featuring frequent errors such as 'people are having sodium mostly in dinner accounting for 43%' and the final incomplete sentence ('whereas saturated fat is consumed at breakfast is slightly lower than the snacks an'). These errors cause some difficulty for the reader and demonstrate limited control over complex syntactic forms. This matches the Band 5 descriptor, where attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty and grammar errors persist.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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