Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-03

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 charts below compare the average percentages of three types of nutrients in typical meals consumed in usa.

Overall,sodium accounted for the highest proportion at dinner whereas, added sugar had the least proportion respectively. Added sugars had the highest proportion during snacks.

At dinner, sodium had the highest percentage, at 43% whereas, added sugar was accounted with lowest figures, at 23% respectively. Most of the added sugars were consumed through snacks with figures of 42% while, saturated fats had the proportion of 37% through dinner .

All three nutrients were equally consumed through breakfast by people in usa, at 14%-16% while during lunch time sodium and saturated fat had almost similar figures at 29% and 26% whereas, only 19% of added sugar was accounted during lunch. However, sodium was the most appropriate nutrient at night time with highest figure and added sugar through snacks . In addition it is noticeable that almost saturated fats stands at 37% during dinner time

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three nutrients and four meal times. The overview captures the highest proportion of sodium at dinner and highlights added sugars during snacks, reflecting the core visual data accurately. However, the development of ideas is slightly uneven. While some key figures like the 43 percent for sodium at dinner and 42 percent for added sugars during snacks are correctly highlighted, certain descriptions become repetitive and the overview lacks a more comprehensive summary of all three nutritional trends together. The response meets the higher band requirements by presenting a clear overview and accurate data points, but remains anchored at this level because some comparisons and details lack full extension.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates some organisation with a discernible overall structure, attempting to group information into paragraphs. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and clunky transitions, such as the frequent misuse of 'whereas' and 'respectively' without proper correlative structures. Paragraphing is handled awkwardly, with the main body split into very short, disjointed sections that disrupt the flow of information. Referencing and cohesive devices are often mechanical or inaccurate, which prevents the essay from achieving a smooth and logical progression throughout. To improve, you should ensure that cohesive devices are used with precision and that ideas are structured into cohesive, well-linked paragraphs that develop a clear argument from introduction to conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'percentage', and specific nutrient names like 'sodium', 'saturated fats', and 'added sugars'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though this is sometimes accompanied by awkward word choices or collocations, such as 'sodium was the most appropriate nutrient' or 'added sugar was accounted with lowest figures'. Spelling is generally accurate, but minor word-choice and collocation errors occur throughout the text. While these errors do not impede communication, they reflect a lack of precision that prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Expanding your range of synonyms and mastering fixed collocations will help elevate your lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt to incorporate multi-clause structures. However, there are noticeable errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly with passive constructions, prepositions, and punctuation around contrastive clauses. Examples include 'added sugar was accounted with lowest figures' and excessive, incorrect comma usage before conjunctions like 'whereas'. Subject-verb agreement and article usage also show occasional lapses. Despite these errors, they rarely impede overall communication, and the meaning remains clear. To reach a higher band, you need to increase your control over complex sentence patterns, ensure accurate use of voice and prepositions, and refine your punctuation to produce more error-free sentences.

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