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 chart illustrates the percentages of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar present in breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. Collectively over consumption of these nutrients leads to health issues.

Overall in USA the highest amount of sodium and saturated fat is present in dinner (43 % and 37 %). However the most added sugar is found in snacks 42 %.

The sodium intake via breakfast and snack is 14 % but the value increased to 29 % in lunch and 43 % in dinner respectively. Meanwhile, the percentage of saturated fat is different in every meal. A normal breakfast in states have 16 % of fat and the number rised with every next meal (21 % snacks, 26 % lunch, and 37 % dinner). However, the percentage of added sugar is 42 % in snack, 23 % in dinner, 19 % in lunch and 16 % in breakfast.

In conclusion all three unhealthy nutrients are present in a noticable amount in every meal of USA. The intake of sodium is the highest in America followed by sugar and fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by presenting data for all three nutrients across the four meal times. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting key extremes such as dinner containing the highest sodium and saturated fat, and snacks containing the highest added sugar. Data is accurately reported, with figures such as sodium at 43% for dinner and added sugar at 42% for snacks correctly referenced from the visual data. The response meets the core requirements of Task 1 by selecting main features and making relevant comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall progression and is divided into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, overview, body paragraph detailing specific meal data, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'However', 'Meanwhile', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and transitions are occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the sequencing of data in the third paragraph where the order of meals listed is inconsistent ('snacks 21%, lunch 26%, and dinner 37%'). Despite minor flaws, the logical organisation is clear throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully utilising terms like 'percentages', 'nutrients', 'consumption', and 'intake'. Some attempts are made at less common vocabulary, such as 'over consumption' and 'noticable amount', but there are noticeable word choice and spelling errors (e.g., 'noticable' instead of 'noticeable', 'rised' instead of 'rose', and 'states' instead of 'states'). While these errors do not impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response incorporates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The pie chart illustrates the percentages...' and 'The sodium intake via breakfast and snack is 14% but the value increased...'. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, such as missing commas after introductory phrases ('Overall in USA'), spelling or form errors with verbs ('rised'), and minor preposition/article issues ('in states have'). However, the majority of sentences are understandable, and errors rarely impede communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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