Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The illustration gives information about the average percentage of different type of nutrients meal, if eaten too much their nutrients type which may be unhealthy. Overall, the largest quantity of both sodium and saturated fat used in dinner.
It is quite evident from the charts that the average percentage of meals consumed three types of nutrients in USA. Firstly, the use of sodium in different meals. Both snacks and breakfast have consumed 14 percent sodium and lunch used sodium 29 percent. Dinner is the largest consumer of the sodium. Secondly, saturated fat is also used in different type of meals. Both snacks and lunch have almost the same consumer of saturated fats with miner difference. The largest quantity of saturated fat used in dinner 37 percent and the remaining 16 percent used in breakfast.
Meanwhile, added sugar is also used in the same four meals. But in this the case snacks is the biggest consumer of the added sugar. The quantity of added sugar used in both breakfast and lunch almost same with miner difference and the remaining 23% used in dinner.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to cover the main features of the charts, correctly identifying that dinner is the highest for sodium and saturated fat, and snacks are highest for added sugar. However, the introduction is grammatically mangled and fails to clearly state what the charts show. Furthermore, several data points are described rather loosely or inaccurately, such as stating 'Both snacks and breakfast have consumed 14 percent sodium' awkwardly, and the support lacks proper synthesis and comparison. While the overall trend is grasped, the lack of precision and under-developed overview places this in the Band 5 category.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into logical paragraphs focusing on different nutrients, but the progression and cohesion are weak. The opening paragraph is confusing and lacks a clear overarching summary sentence. Cohesive devices are either repetitive or misused, as seen in phrases like 'Firstly, the use of sodium...' and 'Secondly, saturated fat...'. The transitions between sentences feel mechanical rather than naturally flowing. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and paragraphing is rather basic. This meets the criteria for Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is limited and repetitive, with frequent word-choice and spelling errors that impede natural reading. Examples include 'different type of nutrients meal', 'miner difference' (minor difference), and 'consumers' used awkwardly to describe percentages of a nutrient. Less common lexical items are attempted but generally misused or poorly collocated. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic topic of food nutrients, the numerous inaccuracies and lack of precision restrict the score to Band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and a few complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'have consumed 14 percent sodium and lunch used sodium 29 percent' (passive/active confusion), missing articles ('in USA'), and incorrect verb forms ('is the largest consumer of the sodium'). Punctuation is basic. Because the errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader in parsing the intended meaning, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.
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