Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-24
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 pie charts compare the average dietary percentages of three potentially unhealthy nutrients—sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar—consumed during four different daily meals in the USA.Overall, a distinct pattern emerges where dinner is the primary source of both sodium and saturated fat intake. In stark contrast, snacks account for the vast majority of added sugar consumption.Looking at the detailed figures for sodium and saturated fat, both follow a highly similar distribution. Dinner represents the highest point of consumption for both nutrients, accounting for 43% of sodium and 37% of saturated fat. Lunch constitutes the second largest contribution, making up 29% and 26% respectively. Interestingly, while both nutrients are consumed in identical proportions during breakfast (16% each), their figures diverge during snack times, where saturated fat levels (21%) are significantly higher than sodium levels (14%).Turning to added sugar, snacks are by far the largest contributor, accounting for nearly half of the daily intake at 42%. Dinner is the next most significant meal at 23%, whereas the remaining sugar consumption is relatively evenly distributed between breakfast (16%) and lunch (19%).
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task exceptionally well, meeting the 150-word minimum comfortably with a total of 178 words. An effective and concise overview is provided, highlighting the main overarching trends regarding dinner as the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks as the dominant source of added sugar. The detailed body paragraphs select and report the key features accurately, citing specific figures from the visual data, such as 43% for sodium at dinner and 42% for added sugar during snack times. Comparisons between the nutrients and meals are made naturally and effectively, demonstrating a fully developed and accurate response that meets all Band 8 requirements for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow from introduction to conclusion. Information and ideas are presented with a clear progression throughout. The writer uses cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately, such as 'In stark contrast', 'Interestingly', and 'Turning to added sugar', which guide the reader smoothly through the comparative data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically, with a clear separation between the introductory overview, the combined analysis of sodium and saturated fat, and the dedicated paragraph for added sugar. Cohesion is well managed and never obtrusive, easily satisfying the criteria for a Band 8 score in this area.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an Academic Task 1 response. Less common and precise lexical items are used skillfully throughout the text, including phrases like 'dietary percentages', 'primary source', 'in stark contrast', 'constitutes', and 'relatively evenly distributed'. Word choice and collocations are natural and accurate, with no noticeable errors. The student successfully avoids repetitive language by varying terms for consumption and proportions. This strong lexical control places the response firmly within the Band 8 descriptor range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
A wide variety of complex structures is used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing sophisticated syntactic control through participial phrases and subordinate clauses, such as 'while both nutrients are consumed in identical proportions during breakfast' and 'accounting for nearly half of the daily intake at 42%'. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. While occasional minor slips might prevent a top-tier Band 9, the grammatical flexibility and high accuracy fully justify a Band 8 score.
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