Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-22

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 6.5)

The given pie charts illustrate the intake percentage of nutrients such as sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in typical meals in the United States of America, which might be harmful to health if consumed in excessive amount.

Overall, the quantitative proportion of the nutrients depend on the types of meals such as breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

To start with, sodium, dinner accounts for highest percentage for its intake among all other meals, at 43 %. Meanwhile, snacks and breakfast each account for the same proportion, at 14 %. In the lunch meal, percentage figure stands just above one-quarter of the total intake. In the second place, saturated fat has somehow same percentages across the meals but with fluctuating patterns. Dinner accounts for the highest percentage of saturated fat intake, at 37 %, while lunch ranks second, slightly above one-quarter of the total intake. However, snacks also play an important role, accounting for mildly above one-fifth part of the total, breakfast contributes the lowest proportions, at only 16 %.

The distribution of added sugar has noticeably different pattern. It has highest supply from snacks, at 42 %, which is almost twice dinner. Lunch accounts for just slightly below one-fourth of the total intake, while breakfast contributes only 16 %, making it smallest source.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The candidate successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three charts. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the relationship between nutrients and meal types. Key data points are accurately highlighted, such as dinner accounting for the highest percentage of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks dominate added sugar consumption at 42%. Comparisons are made effectively across the categories, such as noting that snacks provide almost twice the added sugar of dinner. The figures cited match the source data precisely, and the response is well-grounded in the visual information provided without major omissions or misinterpretations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific nutrients. Information and ideas progress logically throughout the text. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'To start with', 'Meanwhile', and 'However', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different categories of nutrients. Referencing is generally clear, although the phrasing in 'sodium, dinner accounts for...' lacks a smooth grammatical link. Overall, the structural flow is clear and enables the reader to follow the comparisons easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suited to a data summary task, including terms like 'proportion', 'fluctuating patterns', 'distribution', and 'contribution'. There are some successful less common items and precise descriptions of data ('just above one-quarter', 'mildly above one-fifth'). However, some awkward word choices and phrasing occur, such as 'excessive amount' (instead of amounts), 'dinner accounts for highest percentage for its intake', and 'somehow same percentages'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and comparative forms ('which is almost twice dinner'). There is good control over basic grammar, and many sentences are error-free. However, a few grammatical slips and missing articles are noticeable throughout the text, such as 'depend on the types of meals' (subject-verb agreement), 'dinner accounts for highest percentage' (missing article 'the'), and 'having highest supply'. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the meaning remains clear and communication is not impeded.

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