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)

These bar charts show the average percentage of three nutrients in different meals, which could be unhealthy if eaten too much.

Overall, among sodium, saturated fat and sugar, dinner accounts for the highest proportion of sodium consumption. Snacks contain the highest proportion of sugar, while saturated fat accounts for a moderate proportion.

The bar charts contain several categories, including dinner, lunch, breakfast and snacks. Sodium accounts for the highest average proportion, at 43%, while the lowest proportions are recorded for breakfast and snacks, at 14%. Lunch accounts for 29% of sodium consumption.

Saturated fat shows variation. Dinner contains the highest average percentage, while lunch and snacks account for 26% and 21%, respectively. Consequently, breakfast has the lowest percentage, at 16%.

Sugar accounts for the highest proportion in snacks, at 42%. Dinner accounts for 23% of sugar consumption, while breakfast and lunch account for 16% and 19%, respectively.

All nutrients have different average percentage, which could be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all three nutrients (sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars) across the four meal categories, fulfilling the core requirements of Task 1. An overview is present in the second paragraph, highlighting the highest proportions for sodium and sugar. Key features are accurately reported, such as dinner accounting for the highest sodium (43%) and snacks holding the highest share of added sugar (42%). Data points are cited correctly from the charts. However, the student incorrectly refers to the visual data as 'bar charts' when they are pie charts, which is a minor slip in task interpretation. Furthermore, ideas could be extended further by making direct comparative statements between the nutrients within specific meals, rather than listing them category by category. Nevertheless, all main features are well-covered, aligning the response with Band 6.5 to 7.0 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response exhibits a clear overall logical organization, following an introduction, an overview paragraph, three body paragraphs detailing each nutrient, and a concluding sentence. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate ideas logically. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'consequently', and 'including' are employed to connect ideas, although transitions at times feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure (e.g., starting consecutive paragraphs with 'Sodium accounts for...' and 'Saturated fat shows...'). Referencing is generally clear, and the progression from general trends to specific data points is maintained throughout. This performance satisfies the criteria for Band 6.5, leaning towards Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying numerical data and categories (e.g., 'proportion', 'consumption', 'variation'). The student attempts some less common phrasing and manages appropriate collocation such as 'average percentage' and 'consumed in large amounts'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is noticeable repetition of basic verbs and nouns (e.g., 'accounts for', 'percentage', 'proportion'). There are no glaring spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. This balanced performance sits comfortably at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'while saturated fat accounts for a moderate proportion', 'which could be unhealthy if eaten too much'). There is good control over basic grammatical structures, and punctuation is generally accurate. While some sentences are error-free, others contain repetitive structural patterns. Errors are rare and do not impede communication at all. The grammatical control is solid, justifying a Band 6.5 score.

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