Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The three pie charts illustrate the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in four different meals in the USA: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. These nutrients can be harmful if consumed in excess.
Overall, dinner accounted for the largest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contained the highest percentage of added sugar. Breakfast generally represented the smallest or second-smallest proportion across the three nutrients.
Regarding sodium, dinner had the highest proportion, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks accounted for considerably smaller shares, at 14% and 14% respectively. Similarly, saturated fat was most prevalent in dinner, which accounted for 37%, while lunch represented 26%. Breakfast and snacks made up smaller proportions, at 16% and 21% respectively.
For added sugar, snacks had by far the largest proportion, at 42%. Dinner accounted for 23%, followed by lunch at 19%, while breakfast represented the smallest share, at 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear summary of the three pie charts depicting sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in US meals. An appropriate and clear overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the main trends: dinner accounts for the most sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead in added sugar. The remaining paragraphs accurately report specific data points and make relevant comparisons without any noticeable data errors. The figures cited, such as dinner at 43% for sodium and snacks at 42% for added sugar, align precisely with the visual data. The response fully satisfies the requirements for Task Achievement at a high level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The essay opens with an introductory paraphrase and overview, followed by well-structured body paragraphs that deal with the nutrients systematically. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'Overall', 'Regarding sodium', 'Similarly', and 'For added sugar', which guide the reader smoothly through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different nutrient categories, ensuring that information is easy to follow. Cohesion never attracts undue attention, representing a strong performance in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for an Academic Task 1 response. Words and phrases such as 'accounted for', 'largest proportions', 'most prevalent', and 'considerably smaller shares' show good control and stylistic awareness. Collocations are natural, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it stops slightly short of the wide, flexible range of uncommon lexical items typically required for a Band 8 or 9, maintaining a solid Band 7 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a good variety of sentence structures, blending simple and complex forms seamlessly. Examples of complex structures include relative clauses and participial phrases used in comparisons, such as 'dinner had the highest proportion, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%.' The grammar and punctuation are controlled with a high degree of accuracy, and the vast majority of sentences are completely error-free. Control over complex syntactic structures is consistent, supporting a comfortable Band 8 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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