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 set of pie chart illustrates information regarding average percentage of three types of nutrients in typical meals, which is consumed by USA population. The data is given in percentage.

Overall, it is readily aperient that sodium and added sugar shows high percentage in typical meals, while least percentage of saturated fat use in meals.

To begin with, sodium and saturated fat the higest percentage use in dinner of 43% and 37% respectively, while 42% sugar use in snack meals. However, in lunch sodium and saturated fat accounts for 29% and 26% and small praportion of sugar use in lunch, which is 19%. In dinner added sugar noticed at 23%.

Moreover, usage of sodium in snacks and breakfast shows similar percentage with 14% and saturated fat in breakfast and snack noticed at 16 and 21% with least praportion of sugar use in breakfast which is accounted at 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the charts, noting key peaks such as dinner accounting for the highest percentages of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), and snacks accounting for the highest percentage of added sugar (42%). However, the overview is extremely brief and contains factual inaccuracies, such as claiming that 'least percentage of saturated fat use in meals,' which is incorrect since saturated fat sits between sodium and added sugar overall. Furthermore, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement (containing 148 words), which negatively impacts the task achievement score. Band 5 is appropriate as the response addresses the task partially with some limited and imprecise overview statements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is organized into four paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the categories. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward phrasing and poor cohesion. Transitional phrases such as 'To begin with' and 'Moreover' are used mechanically and do not always logically introduce the supporting data. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the overall arrangement lacks smooth transitions between ideas, leading to a choppy reading experience. This aligns with Band 5 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, featuring frequent word-formation errors and awkward collocations. Examples include 'aperient' (instead of apparent), 'least percentage' (instead of the lowest percentage), and 'praportion' (spelling error for proportion). The writer attempts less common vocabulary, but these attempts are often inaccurate or unidiomatic. The limited range of vocabulary and frequent lexical errors constrain communication at times, fitting the Band 5 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex forms that are grammatically faulty, such as 'sodium and saturated fat the higest percentage use in dinner' (missing verbs and incorrect structure). There are frequent errors in verb forms, prepositions, and word classes, including subject-verb agreement issues ('sodium and added sugar shows'). These persistent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader, matching the standard for Band 5.

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

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