Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given pie charts illustrates the mean ratios in typical meals of three genres of nutrients, all of this might be detrimental if taken too much. Overall, it is evident that added sugar accounted the largest consumption during snack time while breakfast time represented the smallest share. Furthermore, saturated fat deemed the highest proportion in the time of dinner while least fraction at breakfast. In addition, sodium reckoned the maximum figure through dinner period although, snack meals established the considerably smaller share.

In the consumption of added sugar, snack duration represented the largest portion, at approximately 42% followed by dinner at 23%. Lunch and breakfast were stood up at 19% and 16% respectively. Nevertheless, utilisation of saturated fat constituted the excessive use throughout dinner at 37%, whereas lunch and snack were relatively small at 26% and 21% correspondingly. Moreover, lowest usage during breakfast at 16%.

In the term of usage of sodium, dinner made up the substantial high amount at 43%. However, lunch consumed the sodium by 29% of the total. In addition, breakfast and snack occurred at same position by 14%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons across the three nutrients. An overview is provided in the first paragraph, noting key extremes such as added sugar peaking during snack time and sodium/saturated fat peaking at dinner. The data is largely accurate and supported by specific figures from the charts, such as 'approximately 42%' for added sugar snacks and '43%' for sodium at dinner. However, the overview is slightly intertwined with specific details, and some phrasing is a bit awkward. Overall, the response covers the task well and meets all requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0, showing a clear ability to select and summarise visual data effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction and separate body paragraphs dedicated to each nutrient. Information is generally sequenced well, and cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'Nevertheless'. However, some cohesive transitions feel slightly mechanical or forced, and referencing is occasionally clunky (e.g., 'Lunch and breakfast were stood up at 19% and 16% respectively'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the categories of nutrients, ensuring the overall arrangement remains coherent and easy to follow. This aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'detrimental', 'proportion', 'utilisation', and 'substantial'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and phrasing throughout the text, such as 'mean ratios' instead of 'average percentages', 'genres of nutrients' instead of 'types of nutrients', 'accounted the largest consumption' (missing 'for'), and 'were stood up at'. Despite these lexical slips, communication is not impeded, and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, placing this firmly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures. There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions, such as 'all of this might be detrimental if taken too much' (reference error and passive/active confusion), 'saturated fat deemed the highest proportion' (incorrect active verb choice), and 'in the term of usage' (non-standard idiom). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors do occur, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of the data. This balanced profile reflects the criteria for a Band 6.0.

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

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