Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-15

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 6.5)

The pie chart illustrates the proportion of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar nutrients, typical meal consumed in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium and saturated fat consumption, whereas snack made up the highest proportion of added sugar intake. Breakfast consistently represents the smallest share of all three nutrients.

Dinner accounts for the highest proportion of both sodium and saturated fat at, 43% and 37% respectively. lunch was the second largest contributor 29% sodium and 26% saturated fat. In contrast, breakfast share the smallest proportion 14% sodium and 16% for saturated fat. Snacks accounted for 14% consumption while their contribution to saturated fat was sightly higher, at 21%.

A different pattern can be seen in the consumption of added sugar. Snacks made up the largest proportion, at 42%, which was almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%. Lunch accounted for 19% of added sugar intake, while breakfast had the lowest percentage, at 16%. Notably, breakfast had the same proportion of added sugar and saturated fat, whereas snacks showed a much higher contribution to added sugar than to either sodium or saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the prompt well, successfully identifying and reporting the main features of the three charts. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the key extremes (dinner for sodium and saturated fat, snacks for added sugar, and breakfast as the lowest for all three). Data is reported accurately, such as 'dinner accounts for the highest proportion of both sodium and saturated fat at, 43% and 37% respectively.' Comparisons are made where relevant, for instance noting that snacks accounted for 42% of added sugar, 'which was almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%.' The task is fully and appropriately addressed without significant omissions or inaccuracies, earning a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response features a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It follows a logical structure by starting with an introduction that paraphrases the prompt, followed by an overview paragraph, a body paragraph dedicated to sodium and saturated fat, and a final body paragraph focusing on added sugar. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, including transitional phrases like 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'whereas', and 'Notably'. However, there are minor cohesion and referencing flaws, such as the incomplete opening sentence ('typical meal consumed in the USA' missing a relative pronoun or preposition) and slight clunkiness in linking clauses. Progression is clear and easy to follow, justifying a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, using terms like 'proportion', 'consumption', 'intake', 'contributor', and 'significantly' (spelled 'sightly' in error). Less common items such as 'respectively', 'consistently', and 'proportion' are used appropriately. However, there are occasional word choice and phrasing errors, such as 'snack made up' (instead of 'snacks made up'), 'breakfast share the smallest proportion' (missing a verb like 'shares' or 'accounted for'), and the spelling slip 'sightly' instead of 'slightly'. These errors do not impede communication, allowing the response to comfortably secure a Band 6.5 for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student attempts a variety of sentence structures, combining simple and complex forms successfully, such as subordinate clauses ('whereas snack made up the highest proportion of added sugar intake') and relative comparisons. There are frequent error-free sentences, but a few noticeable grammatical errors persist, including punctuation issues ('at, 43%'), missing verbs or incorrect verb forms ('breakfast share the smallest proportion'), and capitalization slips ('lunch was the second largest'). Control of grammar is generally good, though punctuation and basic agreement errors prevent a higher band. Overall, the range and accuracy fit the Band 6.5 descriptors well.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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