Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-27
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)
The pie charts illustrate the information about the average proportion of three types of nutrients (sodium, saturated fat and added sugar) in typical meals consumed in the USA. If these nutients taken too much, it may cause health issues.
Overall, it is evident that the dinner contained the largest proportion of sodium in the USA, while the sancks accounted for the largest proportion of added sugar.
In USA, the dinner had 43% sodium, 37% saturated fat and only 23% added sugar. However, it is showed that lunch composed of 29% sodium, 26% saturated fat and 19% added sugar.
The percentage of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar was 14%, 21% and 42% in snacks respectively. In contrast, breakfast contained 14% sodium, 16% saturated fat and 16% added sugar. The pie charts repoted that snacks had largest proportion of sugar, whereas breakfast contained the lowest percentage of added sugar. Moreover, it showed that dinner and lunch had lowest percentage of sugar as compared with other nutrients.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three charts representing sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar consumption across typical meals. The overview correctly identifies the key extremes, noting that dinner had the largest proportion of sodium while snacks accounted for the most added sugar. Key data points, such as dinner's 43% sodium and snacks' 42% added sugar, are accurately cited from the prompt data. The comparisons made between meals are relevant and accurate. Although the explanation of unhealthy effects slightly drifts into general knowledge outside the prompt's core data, it does not detract significantly from the overall reporting. The student satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.5 to 7.0 by clearly selecting and comparing main trends, though a slightly more integrated comparison would enhance the response.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The essay has a clear overall progression and is divided into logical paragraphs. The introduction is followed by an overview statement, and subsequent paragraphs group the data logically by meal and nutrient types. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'In contrast', and 'Moreover' are used to connect ideas, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used adequately to separate the overview from the body details. Pronoun referencing and referencing of categories are generally clear, though minor improvements in paragraph transitions would make the progression smoother. This aligns well with the Band 6.5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for this Task 1, incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'accounted for', 'composed of', and 'respectively'. However, there are noticeable lexical and spelling errors, such as 'nutients' instead of 'nutrients', 'sancks' instead of 'snacks', and awkward phrasing like 'dinner had 43% sodium' or 'lunch composed of 29% sodium'. The verb choice 'composed of' is used incorrectly where 'comprised' or 'consisted of' would be more appropriate. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy, placing this performance firmly in the Band 6 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and comparative structures (e.g., 'while the snacks accounted for', 'as compared with other nutrients'). However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward passive/active confusions, such as 'it is showed that lunch composed of' (should be 'it is shown that lunch comprised') and 'dinner and lunch had lowest percentage' (missing articles). Punctuation is generally fine, but structural errors occur frequently enough to impede complete grammatical fluency. The majority of sentences contain minor flaws, corresponding to a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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