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 charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
first , the dinner contains the high amount of sodium and saturated fat, and the snacks have the highest percentage of added sugar. Breakfast has the lowest amount of sodium.
In sodium, dinner makes up the largest percentage at 43% and Lunch account for 29%, and breakfast and snacks are both 14%. For saturated fat, dinner is again the highest at 37%. and Lunch represents 26%, followed by snacks at 21% and breakfast at 16%.
The pattern for added sugar is different. Snacks contain the highest percentage, at 42%. Dinner accounts for 23%, while lunch makes up 19% and Breakfast has the lowest figure, at 16%.
In conclusion, dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat in American meals, and snacks contain the most added sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three nutrients across the four meal times. The student provides a clear overview in the second paragraph, noting that dinner is highest in sodium and saturated fat, while snacks are highest in added sugar. Specific data points are accurately cited from the visual source, such as sodium at 43% for dinner and added sugar at 42% for snacks. Comparisons are made effectively between the categories, and no significant information is omitted or misread. The response satisfies all criteria for Task Achievement at a Band 6.5 level, tending towards Band 7 for its accurate coverage, though the structure remains somewhat formulaic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The text exhibits a clear logical arrangement, dividing information into an introduction, individual body paragraphs for each nutrient, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'For saturated fat', 'The pattern for added sugar', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the data. However, paragraphing could be slightly more integrated, and some cohesive links are rather mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, and the overall progression of information flows reasonably well from the general overview to specific details. This aligns well with the Band 6.5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying numerical data and categories using terms like 'percentage', 'highest', 'lowest', 'accounts for', and 'makes up'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'pattern' and 'source', but overall word choice is fairly standard and repetitive. There are minor lexical and punctuation errors, such as capitalization issues ('first , the dinner', 'Lunch account', 'Breakfast has'), but these do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient for a Band 6.0 performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writing contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Snacks contain the highest percentage, at 42%' and 'Dinner accounts for 23%, while lunch makes up 19%'. There are several grammatical and punctuation inaccuracies, notably subject-verb agreement errors ('Lunch account' instead of 'accounts') and erratic spacing and capitalization around commas and periods (e.g., 'In sodium,', 'at 37%. and Lunch'). Despite these recurring slips, the errors rarely impede communication, and the basic grammar is generally sound, supporting a Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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