Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30

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 information about three nutrient types of meals consumed in the USA. The given data shows that all of these nutrients (sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar) may be unhealthy if consumed too much.

Overall, most people eat sodium at dinner time more than at other times; similarly, the consumption of saturated fat is also high at dinner. Then, people mainly use sugar in snacks as compared to other meals.

According to the first pie chart, the use of sodium is the same in snacks and breakfast, at 14%. Then, at lunchtime, the proportion of sodium is 29%, and 43% at dinner.

In the second chart, the consumption of saturated fat in breakfast is only 16% and in snacks is 21%. Then, the highest percentage is 37% at dinner.

In the last chart, the highest proportion of sugar use is 42% in snacks, and the lowest is 16% in breakfast. Then, 19% at lunchtime and 23% at dinner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by selecting and reporting the main features of the three pie charts regarding sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar consumption in the USA. An overview is provided, highlighting key extremes such as high dinner consumption for sodium and saturated fat, and high snack consumption for added sugar. Specific data points, such as 43% for dinner sodium and 42% for snacks regarding added sugar, are accurately cited from the visual data. The response meets all task requirements for a well-structured Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged logically with a clear introduction, an overall summary paragraph, and individual body paragraphs dedicated to each nutrient. Cohesive devices and sequencing words are used to guide the reader through the data (e.g., 'Overall', 'According to the first pie chart', 'In the second chart', 'In the last chart'). However, paragraphing could be slightly more integrated, and some transitional phrases feel a bit repetitive or mechanical ('Then,'). Overall, the logical organisation and progression are clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate lexical range to describe the visual data effectively, using terms such as 'proportion', 'consumption', 'percentage', and 'nutrients'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though certain phrasings are slightly unnatural or repetitive, such as 'the use of sodium' instead of 'sodium intake'. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably within Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating introductory prepositional phrases and comparative structures effectively. While there are minor awkwardnesses and formulaic transitions (e.g., beginning multiple sentences with 'Then,'), the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and punctuation is handled correctly. Errors are infrequent and do not impede communication, matching the criteria for Band 6.5 to 7.0, with solid control overall.

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

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