Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The illustration gives information about the pie chart that proportion show the average of people in USA consumed meals with three types of nutrients which may effect on health if eating enough. Overall, it is crystal clear that in USA, people cousumed more sugar at snacks, almost more sodium in their dinner and balance sodium, fat and sugar in their breakfast meals so it may impact on their healths.
It is quite evident from the pie chart that proportion of breakfast meal is almost balanced it contains 16% of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in their breakfast meal.In stark contrast, in lunch there are less sugar and fat rather than sodium.
Furthermore, people consumed more sodium in their lunch rather than fat and suggar. Snacks proportion was exremely unhealthy because it contains almost 42% of sugar, 21% of saturated fat and 14% of sodium in their meals which can effect on their overall health.
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 response attempts to summarise the main features of the charts, noting key data points such as the 43% of sodium at dinner and 42% of added sugar in snacks. However, the overview is poorly formulated and contains significant inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as claiming that people 'balance sodium, fat and sugar in their breakfast meals'. While breakfast does show identical figures for all three nutrients (16%), the interpretation and reporting are limited and lack depth. The student succeeds in meeting the minimum word count, but the selection and reporting of data remain basic and occasionally imprecise, aligning with a Band 5 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction and two body paragraphs, showing a basic attempt at paragraphing. However, overall progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences feel mechanical and sometimes confusing, such as 'In stark contrast, in lunch there are less sugar and fat rather than sodium.' Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the links between ideas do not always flow logically. While the text is readable, the lack of sophisticated cohesive control and awkward paragraph structuring restrict it to a Band 5 level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors in word choice and form, such as 'cousumed', 'suggar', and 'exremely'. The student struggles with collocations and precise terminology, writing phrases like 'proportion show the average of people in USA consumed meals with three types of nutrients which may effect on health if eating enough.' There are frequent attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are marred by inaccuracies and spelling mistakes that occasionally strain the reader, placing this aspect firmly in Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
Grammatical control is weak throughout the response. The student relies heavily on simple structures, and attempts at complex sentences frequently result in errors or broken syntax, such as 'The illustration gives information about the pie chart that proportion show the average of people in USA consumed meals...'. There are numerous errors involving verb tenses, prepositions, and noun-form confusions (e.g., 'effect on their healths'). Punctuation is also lacking in places. Because errors are frequent and often cause difficulty for the reader, the grammar matches the Band 5 descriptor.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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