Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-28
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 given chart illustrates the average percentage of three types of nutrients: Sodium, saturated fat and added sugar consumed in the USA. The first circle shows Sodium, the middle circle shows saturated fat and the last one depicts added sugar amounts in a typical meal.
The least amount of sugar taken is 14% in the breakfast and while snacking, followed by 29% during the lunch and the most sugar is consumed during the dinner in a typical meal in the USA. In case of the saturated fat the least amount of it is consumed during the breakfast 16% to be exact while the most is consumed in the dinner which is 37%. The third nutrient which is added sugar is consumed at a whopping amount of 42% during snacking while the least of it being 16% is consumed during the breakfast, during the lunch added sugar is consumed 19% while in the dinner 23% added sugar is consumed in a given meal in the USA.
Given the amounts of the nutrients their consumption may vary based on individual diets and their goals but clearly if consumed in abundance it could be harmful to the health in the long run. Therefore, one must read the labels, note down the nutrients (in case of preparing the meals) and avoid consuming a lot of these nutrients.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by describing the charts showing the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in the USA. However, there are significant data misinterpretations. For instance, the student states that the least amount of sugar taken is 14% in the breakfast and while snacking, which confuses sodium with sugar (sodium is 14% for breakfast and snacks, whereas sugar is 16% for breakfast and 42% for snacks). Furthermore, the third paragraph includes unnecessary personal commentary and advice (‘one must read the labels... and avoid consuming a lot of these nutrients’) which goes beyond the scope of an Academic Task 1 summary. The response covers the general areas of the charts but lacks precise and accurate reporting of the main features due to these data confusions.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is arranged into three paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by a body paragraph detailing the data, and ending with an concluding opinion paragraph. While paragraphing is used, the logical progression within the body paragraph is weak. The long, run-on second sentence in the second paragraph crams multiple data points together (‘The third nutrient which is added sugar is consumed at a whopping amount of 42% during snacking while the least of it being 16% is consumed during the breakfast, during the lunch added sugar is consumed 19% while in the dinner 23% added sugar is consumed’), making it difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are repetitive and basic.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but contains noticeable inaccuracies and informal language. Expressions like ‘the middle circle’, ‘the last one depicts’, and ‘a whopping amount of’ are colloquial or clumsy for an academic report. There are also errors in word choice, such as confusing the nutrient categories. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary, the noticeable errors and lack of precise academic register limit the score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are run-on sentences with comma splices and missing conjunctions, particularly in the second paragraph where multiple clauses are strung together without proper punctuation. For example, ‘The least amount of sugar taken is 14% in the breakfast and while snacking, followed by 29% during the lunch and the most sugar is consumed during the dinner in a typical meal in the USA.’ Grammatical errors and awkward phrasing frequently occur, though they do not completely impede overall understanding.
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