Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-16
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 three pie charts illustrate the average percentage of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contained in typical meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, dinner contains greatest proportion of sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks are the main source of added sugar. Breakfast contributes the lowest percentage in all three categories of nutrients.
In terms of sodium, dinner represents the the highest proportion at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks each contributes 14%. The figures for saturated fat shows similar pattern with dinner at 34%, while lunch contributes at 26%, snacks accounts for 21%. However, breakfast contributes lowest at 16%.
The figure of added sugar is different from sodium and saturated fat. Here, Snacks are the main source at 42%, followed by dinner at 23%. Although lunch contributes 19% added sugar. Therefore, dinner contributes highest proportion in sodium and in saturated fat, snacks are the dominant source of added sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and providing relevant comparisons. An adequate overview is presented in the second paragraph, capturing the most significant extremes such as dinner being the highest for sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the highest for added sugar. Most data points are accurately reported, though there is a minor discrepancy regarding saturated fat for dinner, where the student wrote '34%' instead of the actual '37%'. Despite this minor error, the key trends and comparisons are well highlighted, meeting the requirements of a Band 7 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Information is grouped logically by nutrient category across distinct paragraphs. Cohesive devices are generally used effectively to connect ideas, such as 'In terms of', 'whereas', and 'However'. However, there is some mechanical repetition in sentence structure when introducing data categories, and the final paragraph contains a run-on sentence ('Therefore, dinner contributes highest proportion in sodium and in saturated fat, snacks are the dominant source of added sugar.') that disrupts smooth flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'illustrate', 'proportion', 'category', 'dominant source', and 'contributes'. Less common lexical items are attempted with general success, though there are some slight lexical inaccuracies, such as omitting an article ('contributes lowest at 16%') or minor phrasing issues. Spelling is accurate throughout the text, and communication is never impeded by lexical limitations, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a reasonable command of grammar. Examples of complex structures include subordinate clauses introduced by 'whereas' and 'although'. However, there are grammatical errors present, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('each contributes', 'The figures... shows', 'snacks accounts') and missing articles ('represents the the highest', 'contributes lowest'). Despite these recurring slips, the errors do not impede communication, supporting a solid Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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