Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)
The provided pie charts illustrate the average proportions of three potentially unhealthy nutrients—sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar—found in four daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) consumed by individuals in the USA.Overall, dinner serves as the primary source of both sodium and saturated fat intake, whereas snacks account for the largest share of added sugar consumed. In contrast, breakfast consistently contributes the lowest percentage across all three categories.Regarding sodium and saturated fat, dinner exhibits the highest consumption rates, accounting for 43% of sodium and 37% of saturated fat. Lunch is the second largest contributor, responsible for 29% of sodium and 26% of saturated fat intake. Interestingly, while breakfast and snacks contribute identical portions of sodium at 14% each, snacks contain a noticeably higher percentage of saturated fat (21%) compared to breakfast (16%).Looking at added sugar, the distribution shows a markedly different pattern. Snacks contain by far the highest percentage at 42%, nearly double the amount found in dinner, which stands at 23%. Lunch and breakfast contribute the remaining portions, representing 19% and 16% of the daily total respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.5
The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the visual data. The response features a strong, well-formulated overview that highlights the main trends, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat while snacks dominate added sugar intake. Key features from the charts are accurately reported and supported with precise data points, such as '43% of sodium' and '42% for snacks'. The comparisons made between the different meals, including the observation that snacks contain a higher percentage of saturated fat than breakfast, are entirely accurate and well-grounded in the provided source material.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0
Coherence and cohesion are managed exceptionally well throughout the text. The essay is logically organized into distinct paragraphs, starting with a clear introduction and overview, followed by well-structured body paragraphs detailing the categories. Information flows smoothly from general trends to specific data comparisons. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'Regarding sodium and saturated fat', and 'Looking at added sugar' are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the data without being obtrusive. Paragraphing is used effectively.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items and phrases such as 'primary source', 'consistently contributes', 'distribution shows a markedly different pattern', and 'proportion' are used skillfully and with accurate collocation. Word choice is precise, and there are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation. The terminology handles the statistical and comparative nature of the data with ease, reflecting a high level of lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring effective subordination and participial phrases, such as 'whereas snacks account for the largest share' and 'accounting for 43% of sodium and 37% of saturated fat'. Control of punctuation, tense consistency, and grammatical agreements is excellent. Only very occasional, minor complexities could be pushed further for a top-tier band, but the overall standard of grammatical accuracy and structural variety is exceptionally high.
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