Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-17
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 5.5)
The charts below describe the average percentages in commom meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be harmful if eaten a lot.
Overall, dinner had the highest percentages in sodium and saturated fat consumption and breakfast had the lowest percentage.
In sodium consumption dinner was the highest percentage at 43% and lunch had second highest percentages, at 29%.Snacks and breakfast had the lowest.
Saturated fat, dinner was the highest percentage, at 37% and lunch had second highest percentage, at 26%.Breakfast was the lowest, at 16%.
Snacks had the highest percentage intake of added sugar, at 42% and dinner was second highest, at 23%.Lunch recorded third highest percentage, at 19% and breakfast had lowest,at 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the prompt by summarizing the main features of the charts regarding sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in typical US meals. An overview is provided, noting that dinner had the highest percentages for sodium and saturated fat while breakfast was lowest. Data points are cited, such as dinner being 43% for sodium and snacks reaching 42% for added sugar. However, the response suffers from a significant negative impact due to length: at only 117 words, it falls well short of the mandatory 150-word minimum requirement. Furthermore, the analysis lacks deep comparisons and synthesis between categories, resulting in a limited development of ideas. Consequently, Task Achievement is penalised for failing the length requirement and for under-developed support.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text demonstrates a basic level of organization, with an introductory sentence followed by an overview and individual body statements for each nutrient category. However, the paragraphing is extremely fragmented, consisting of single-sentence paragraphs that hinder logical progression and cohesion. Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive, relying heavily on formulas like 'dinner was the highest percentage, at...' without smooth transitional phrases between sentences or cohesive links. Referencing is mostly clear because the data is straightforward, but the overall structure appears mechanical rather than fluidly arranged, placing it firmly in the lower-intermediate band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for basic reporting of percentages and categories, utilizing terms such as 'average percentages', 'consumption', and numerical values. However, there are spelling errors, such as 'commom' instead of 'common', and lexical repetition is prominent throughout the text, with phrases like 'highest percentage' and 'second highest' repeated excessively. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary like 'consumption', but generally lacks the range and precision needed for higher bands, often resorting to simplistic phrasing ('eaten a lot' instead of 'excessive consumption').
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and moderately complex sentence structures, such as introductory dependent clauses ('In sodium consumption...') and comparative statements. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, including missing prepositions or articles ('at second highest percentages', 'lunch had second highest percentage', 'breakfast had lowest, at 16%'). Punctuation errors are also present, such as missing spaces after commas (e.g., 'lowest,at 16%'). Despite these recurring inaccuracies, the errors do not severely impede communication, as the intended data points remain understandable.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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