Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-20

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 chart below shows proportions of three types of nutrients in typical meals, that can turn unhealthy if eaten too much.

Overall, typical US dinners and lunches are made up mostly of sodium and saturated fat, while added sugar is the main ingredient in snacks. Breakfast has the least amount of all three of the nutrients.

Next, dinners contain 43% of sodium and 37% of saturated fat, the highest ingredient amounts among all meals, while added sugar comprises 42% of snacks, again the highest amounts of this ingredient among all other meals.

Furthermore, lunch, has lower amounts of these nutrients compared dinner, comprised of 29% of sodium, 26% of saturated fat, and 19% of added sugar. Breakfast has the lowest amount of these nutrients; 14% of sodium. 16% of saturated fat and 16% of added sugar.

In addition to this, snacks have high amounts of sugar, at 42% while having 14% of sodium and 21% of saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts regarding the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in typical US meals. An effective overview is provided, highlighting that dinners and lunches are dominated by sodium and saturated fat, whereas added sugar peaks in snacks, and breakfast consistently records the lowest proportions. Key data points are accurately selected and compared, such as dinner reaching 43% for sodium and snacks peaking at 42% for added sugar. The data is accurately represented without major distortions. The response meets the minimum word count requirement of 150 words cleanly, totaling 158 words. Therefore, this performance comfortably satisfies the Band 7 requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The essay begins with an introductory/overview paragraph, followed by body paragraphs that systematically break down the data by meals and nutrient types. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Next', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition to this' are employed to guide the reader through the comparisons, though some transitional phrasing feels slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct aspects of the data. Referencing is generally clear, though minor punctuation errors (such as the unnecessary comma in 'Furthermore, lunch, has') slightly disrupt the flow. Overall, the organizational structure is sound, earning a solid Band 6.5 or 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, using terms like 'proportions', 'ingredients', 'comprises', and 'amounts'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with reasonable success, such as 'dominated' (implied) and 'highest ingredient amounts'. There are a few slight lexical inaccuracies or awkward phrasings, such as referring to nutrients as 'ingredients' (e.g., 'the highest ingredient amounts'), which is imprecise since sodium, fats, and sugars are components of food rather than added culinary ingredients. However, these minor word-choice issues do not impede communication. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, supporting a secure Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and participial phrases successfully (e.g., 'while added sugar is the main ingredient in snacks', 'comprised of 29% of sodium'). There are some grammatical errors and punctuation slips, such as comma splices or unnecessary commas (e.g., 'Furthermore, lunch, has lower amounts... compared dinner, comprised of...' where 'compared to dinner' was intended). Another minor error is the sentence fragment and punctuation break in 'Breakfast has the lowest amount of these nutrients; 14% of sodium. 16% of saturated fat and 16% of added sugar.' Despite these errors, the structures do not impede communication, placing the grammar firmly at Band 6.

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

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