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 pie chart illustrates the proportion of three nutrients in particular foods in the USA.
Overall, highest percentage of sodium and saturated fat is consumed in dinner followed by second highest values in lunch for both nutrients. Conversely, most of the sugar is consumed through snacks.
Dinner contains the most sodium content with 43%, followed by saturated fat which takes 37% and sugar takes 23% of the dinner. For lunch, sodium is again the highest nutrient with 29%, fat 26% and only 19% sugar.
Breakfast has the same fat and sugar content with 16% while sodium is 2% lesser in breakfast. The sugar content is the highest in the snacks i.e. 42% which is less than half in dinner, more less in lunch and breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the charts by reporting key data points for sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars across meals and snacks. An overview is present, highlighting that sodium and saturated fat peak at dinner while sugar peaks in snacks. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, containing only 125 words, which places a ceiling on the task achievement score. Furthermore, some comparisons are slightly imprecise, such as stating that breakfast has the same fat and sugar content with 16% while sodium is 2% lesser. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to expand on the data and ensure all comparisons are fully developed while meeting the word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is generally coherent with an overall logical arrangement. The student attempts to group information logically, starting with an introductory sentence, followed by an overview paragraph, and then breaking down the data by meals in subsequent paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Conversely' and 'followed by', though referencing can occasionally feel a bit mechanical ('Dinner contains the most sodium content with 43%, followed by saturated fat which takes 37% and sugar takes 23% of the dinner'). Paragraphing is present and helps structure the response, but the brief length limits the scope of cohesive progression. Overall, the organization is clear enough to follow without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The lexical resource is adequate for the task, demonstrating a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the data. Words such as 'proportion', 'consumed', 'percentage', and 'nutrients' are used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are occasional awkward phrasings or minor word-choice errors, such as saying 'sodium is 2% lesser in breakfast' instead of 'lower', or 'more less in lunch'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'Conversely', but overall the vocabulary remains fairly standard and repetitive. There are no major spelling errors, and communication is never impeded.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar. Examples include introductory dependent clauses and comparative structures. However, there are grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as 'highest percentage of sodium and saturated fat is consumed in dinner' (missing articles) and 'sugar takes 23% of the dinner' (inappropriate preposition). Punctuation is generally acceptable. While the errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from achieving a higher band score. Developing better control over article usage and prepositional phrases will improve grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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