Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The pie chart illustrate the average ratio in typical meals which have three types of nutrients, they will be unhealthy if we get in large quantity.

Overall, the average ratio of saturated fats, sodium and sugars in typical meals and people are taking in USA.

First of all, people consumed sodium in breakfast 14%, then in lunch 29%, then in dinner 43% and 14% in snack.Then the second one is saturated fat people intake saturated fat 16% in breakfast, 26% in lunch, 37% in dinner and 21% in snack.The last one is added sugar, people add sugar 16% in breakfast,19% in lunch, 23% in dinner and 42% snack.

The ratio of consuming sodium in lunch and dinner as compare to others. The percentage of adding sugar in snacks is larger than others. They intake low quantity of saturated fat instated of others. The ratio of intake of sodium in breakfast is low then others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the charts, identifying sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar percentages across meals and snacks. However, the overview is extremely weak, ungrammatical, and fails to capture the broader trends clearly. Furthermore, the body paragraphs simply list the data point by point without meaningful comparison or synthesis, and the final paragraph is fragmentary and difficult to interpret (e.g., 'The ratio of consuming sodium in lunch and dinner as compare to others'). While all three nutrients and four meal categories are mentioned, the lack of well-developed comparisons and a clear overview places this in Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into short paragraphs, but the overall progression lacks logical structure. The introduction is poorly connected to the body, and the second paragraph consists of a fragmented sentence fragment. In the body paragraphs, cohesive devices are mechanical or missing entirely ('First of all... Then the second one is... The last one is...'). Reference words are sometimes ambiguous or misused, and the concluding paragraph is abrupt and confusing. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is weak. This corresponds to Band 5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'average ratio', 'people consumed', 'nutrient', and 'meal'. There are frequent awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'people add sugar' when referring to sugar content in food, and 'instated of others' instead of 'instead of others'. While the meaning can mostly be deciphered, the range is limited and inadequate for a higher band, reflecting the descriptors for Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at complex or compound structures often result in serious errors or run-on sentences (e.g., 'The pie chart illustrate the average ratio in typical meals which have three types of nutrients, they will be unhealthy if we get in large quantity.'). Subject-verb agreement errors ('chart illustrate') and incorrect prepositions ('in breakfast' instead of 'at breakfast') are frequent. Grammatical inaccuracies cause noticeable strain for the reader, fitting Band 4.5 to 5.0; a score of 5.0 is awarded as basic meaning remains accessible.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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