Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-29
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 percentage consumption of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner. Increased consumption of these nutrients can cause severe health effects.
Saturated fat and sodium intake is maximum in dinner compared to added sugar. However, added sugar prevails in snacks compared to relatively less consumption of sodium and saturated fat in this meal.
Sodium is noticed to be the primary ingredient in the dinner with percentage amounting to 43%. Secondly, for saturated fat this figure falls to 37% however, still indicating increased consumerism. Added sugar in comparison, only ranges to 23%. Added sugar makes 42% of the snacks but sodium and saturated fat amount to 14% and 21% respectively.
In breakfast, only 14% sodium, 16% of saturated fat and 16% of added sugar is consumed. In lunch time the corresponding figures are 29%, 26% and 19%. Thus, consumption of sodium and saturated fat in dinner and added sugar in snacks needs to be controlled.
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 student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting and comparing the data across the four meal times for all three nutrients. An overview is attempted, although it is integrated into the conclusion rather than forming a distinct introductory summary paragraph. The main features are appropriately identified and supported with accurate figures from the charts, such as noting that sodium peaks at 43% during dinner and added sugar peaks at 42% during snacks. The comparisons made between meals, such as contrasting the high dinner sodium with the lower breakfast figures, are accurate and directly reflect the visual data. The response meets the task requirements well, earning a solid band 6.5 to 7.0 for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The text exhibits a clear logical organisation overall, moving methodically from an introduction to body paragraphs discussing specific meal comparisons, and concluding with a summary thought. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'however', 'secondly', and 'in comparison' are employed to connect sentences and clauses, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, allowing the reader to follow the progression of data from sodium and saturated fat to added sugar without significant confusion. Overall cohesion meets the requirements for a band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, incorporating terms such as 'consumption', 'percentage', 'prevails', and 'corresponding figures'. There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, though certain word choices are slightly unnatural, such as 'consumerism' instead of 'consumption' or 'intake'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient to earn a band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including introductory prepositional phrases and comparative clauses. There are several instances of good control, such as 'Added sugar makes 42% of the snacks but sodium and saturated fat amount to 14% and 21% respectively.' However, minor grammatical awkwardness appears, such as missing articles ('in dinner' instead of 'at dinner' or 'for dinner') and slight preposition mismatches. These errors occur but rarely impede overall comprehension, making a band 6.0 an appropriate score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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