Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-14
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 6.0)
The pie charts compare the proportions of three types of nutrients including sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in typical meals consumed in the USA, which are unhealthy if consumed too much.
Overall, it can be seen that the highest proportion of these nutrients found in dinner, whereas the least percentage had recorded in breakfast. Lunch contained the moderate percentages of all three nutrients.
Firstly, the highest proportion of sodium added inn dinner which was 43%, while saturated fat and added sugar made 37% and 23% of the dinner respectively. The figure of snacks contained high quantity of added sugar which was 42%
Notably, breakfast recorded the lowest proportion of each nutrient, with 14% made by sodium and 16% by both saturated fat and sugar.
Lunch was the meal with moderate proportions of all nutrients, containing 29% of sodium, and 26% and 19% of saturated fats and added sugar respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features and making relevant comparisons across the categories. The overview accurately captures the general trend that dinner contains the highest proportions while breakfast records the lowest. Specific data points, such as sodium in dinner at 43% and snacks containing 42% added sugar, are reported clearly to support the main features. While some figures could be elaborated further or grouped with greater nuance, the response satisfactorily addresses the prompt requirements and provides a complete summary of the visual data. Therefore, it meets the criteria for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is arranged coherently with a clear overall progression. The information is divided logically into paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to dinner, snacks, breakfast, and lunch. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, the transition 'Firstly' is used without a corresponding 'Secondly', and referencing can feel repetitive. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the response, but the logical flow between sentences could be smoother. This level of organisation aligns well with a Band 6.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'proportions', 'nutrients', 'saturated fat', and 'added sugar'. There are some vocabulary and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'inn' instead of 'in' and 'had recorded' instead of 'was recorded', as well as awkward phrasing like 'The figure of snacks contained'. Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication. This performance fits the Band 6.0 profile.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('which were unhealthy if consumed too much'). However, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including tense and voice issues ('the least percentage had recorded', 'sodium added inn dinner') and missing prepositions or articles. Although these errors are noticeable, they rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the intended data points easily. This balance of mixed structures and frequent minor errors corresponds to a Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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