Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
Pie charts are provided which show the average percentage of three types of nutrients in typical meals. Each chart represents each nutrient and there are four types of meals.
Overall it can be noted that sodium and saturated fat is highest in dinner and added sugar is highest in snacks. Breakfast makes the least contribution in all three categories of nutrients.
Firstly it can be noted that dinner has the highest contents of sodium and saturated fat at 43% and 37% respectively. Dinner only has the second highest added sugar content at 23%. Snacks has the highest added sugar at 42% which has a distant lead on dinner in this category. Snacks has a 21% contribution in saturated fat which ranks at number three.
Breakfast and snacks have equal sodium contents at 14%. Breakfast also contributes an equal 16% in saturated fat and added sugar making it the lowest contributor in any category. Lunch is ranked second in sodium and added sugar category.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons. The response accurately notes that dinner has the highest sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks lead in added sugar (42%). Furthermore, breakfast is correctly identified as the lowest contributor across all categories (14% to 16%). A clear, well-supported overview is included in the second paragraph, highlighting the main extremes. The data is accurately cited without any noticeable inventions or misreadings, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The text demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression. It starts with an introductory statement, follows with a strong overview paragraph, and then breaks down the specific data points by meal type. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'respectively', and 'in this category' are used reasonably well to link ideas, although some transitions feel a bit formulaic. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to structure the response. The overall arrangement ensures that the reader can easily follow the comparison of nutrients across the four meals, meeting the standard for a Band 6.5 to 7.0, comfortably fitting a 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, such as 'percentage', 'contribution', 'contents', and 'respectively'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary and phraseology like 'distant lead' and 'lowest contributor'. However, there are minor repetitive patterns (e.g., repeating 'it can be noted that' and 'Snacks has') and minor collocation choices. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication, placing this securely in the Band 6.0 territory with a solid foundation for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'Pie charts are provided which show...'). Grammatical accuracy is reasonably good, though there is a minor subject-verb agreement error ('Snacks has' instead of 'Snacks have') and a missing plural in 'Snacks has a 21% contribution'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and the minor errors do not impede communication. This demonstrates the control typical of a Band 6.5, showing a good mix of structures with occasional slips.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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