Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-18
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 pie charts illustrate the proportion of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in four typical meals.
Overall, dinner contains the largest amounts of sodium and saturated fat, whereas added sugar is the main nutrient in snack. Breakfast, on the other hand, accounts for the least amount of all nutrients.
The major proportion of sodium and saturated fat comes form the dinner, at 43% and 37% respectively. It is followed by lunch which supplies 29% and 26% of sodium and saturated fat. The shares of snack and breakfast are relatively small, at 14% each for sodium and 21% and 17% for saturated fat respectively.
In case of added sugar, sanck holds the highest proportion with 42%, which is followed by dinner with 23%. Then, the figures for lunch is 19% and breakfast accounts for the least proportion, at 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons across the three nutrients and four meals. An effective overview is provided, noting that dinner dominates in sodium and saturated fat while snacks are highest in added sugar, with breakfast consistently accounting for the lowest shares. The data reported are accurate (e.g., sodium at dinner 43%, added sugar in snacks 42%), though there is a minor transcription typo for breakfast's saturated fat (written as 17% instead of the chart's 16%). Furthermore, the word count is 139 words, falling just short of the 150-word minimum requirement. This negative constraint violation prevents the score from reaching higher bands. However, the information is well-selected and clearly presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression. Information is logically grouped into an introduction, an overview paragraph, a body paragraph dedicated to sodium and saturated fat, and a final paragraph focusing on added sugar. Paragraphing is used appropriately. Cohesive devices are deployed effectively to link ideas, such as 'whereas', 'on the other hand', 'It is followed by', and 'In case of'. Reference words like 'It' are used clearly. While cohesion can occasionally feel slightly formulaic, the progression of information remains easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for this academic task, successfully employing terms such as 'proportion', 'accounts for', 'respectively', and 'supplies'. There are some successful attempts at less common vocabulary, but also a few noticeable lexical errors and typos, such as 'form' instead of 'from' and 'sanck' instead of 'snack'. Additionally, phrasing like 'In case of added sugar' is slightly unnatural compared to 'Regarding added sugar'. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly and allows for relevant comparisons.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and comparative forms. There is a good degree of control over grammar and punctuation. However, there are a few minor grammatical and mechanical errors present, such as 'the figures for lunch is' (should be 'are') and the aforementioned spelling slips ('form', 'sanck'). Despite these errors, they do not impede communication, and the majority of simple sentences are accurate, while complex structures are attempted with reasonable success.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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