Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-26

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 4.0)

The pie charts demonstrate that the average ratios in different foods of three kinds of nutrients, complete of which could be unhealthy if eaten too much.

Overall, three charts illustrate that average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugars in different foods utilized in the USA. Moreover, compare to each other that which is highly unhealthy.

In added suger chart 42 % snack consumed which is highly ratio in other sodium and saturated. In addition 43% of dinner in sodium is highly utilize, since 26% of lunch is rise in saturated fat. Therefore, breakfast % usage is same in saturated fat and added suger chart but in sodium rotio of breakfast is slightly low which is only 2 %. The given data demonstrates that highly unhealthy food is snack then dinner and lastly breakfast. These three chart and given data shows all foods is bad for health in the USA.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response attempts to summarize the charts showing the proportions of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars in typical US meals across different times of day. However, the task achievement is severely limited by confusing expression and misinterpretation of the data. For instance, the writer states that '42 % snack consumed which is highly ratio in other sodium and saturated' and attempts to compare the categories, but the relationships are obscured by poor phrasing. An overview is attempted, but it concludes with a subjective and generalized statement ('all foods is bad for health') rather than a clear summary of main trends. Data points are cited (e.g., 43% for dinner sodium, 42% for snack added sugar), but the overall reporting lacks clarity and accurate synthesis. This performance aligns best with Band 4.0 descriptors due to the minimal and partially inaccurate coverage of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response is divided into short, disjointed paragraphs, but the overall organization lacks a logical progression. There is a lack of clear cohesive devices; words like 'moreover', 'in addition', and 'therefore' are used awkwardly or incorrectly to link sentences that do not logically follow from one another. Paragraphing is attempted, but individual paragraphs lack internal cohesion and fail to guide the reader through a structured comparison of the charts. Pronoun referencing and substitution are weak, making it difficult to follow which nutrient or mealtime is being referenced from one sentence to the next. Overall, the structural flaws significantly impede the flow of information, corresponding to a Band 4.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

Vocabulary usage is basic, repetitive, and frequently inaccurate, which frequently impedes communication. The writer relies heavily on simple words and produces numerous lexical errors and non-standard collocations, such as 'average ratios in different foods', 'complete of which could be unhealthy', 'in added suger chart', and 'sodium rotio'. Words are often misused grammatically or semantically (e.g., using 'utilize' instead of 'consume' or 'account for', and 'rise' as an adjective instead of a noun). There is little evidence of less common lexical items used accurately, and spelling errors occur (e.g., 'suger', 'rotio'). This level of lexical control reflects Band 4.0 standards.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

Grammatical control is extremely weak throughout the response, with frequent errors that constantly strain the reader's understanding. There is a very limited range of sentence structures, and almost all complex or compound attempts are structurally flawed, such as in 'compare to each other that which is highly unhealthy' and 'breakfast % usage is same in saturated fat and added suger chart but in sodium rotio of breakfast is slightly low which is only 2 %.' Basic agreement, tense, and preposition errors are pervasive (e.g., 'three chart and given data shows all foods is bad'). Error-free sentences are extremely rare, placing the grammar firmly in the Band 4.0 category.

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