Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The three pie charts illustrate the average proportions of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars in typical food meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, it is evident that the percentage of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugar decreased, respectively in the dinner and lunch category, while the amount of these nutrients rose in the snack category. Breakfast contained almost similar amounts of these three nutrients.
There is decreasing trend of nutrients in the dinner category. It accounted for 43% sodium, while saturated fats and added sugars are 37% and 23%, respectively. Snacks have 14% sodium, but it has increased percentage of around 21% saturated fats. However, the proportion of snacks represented 42% of added sugars.
Breakfast contained almost similar amount of the three nutrients, containing 14% sodium and 16% of saturated fats and added sugars. There is 29% sodium in the lunch, and it decreased to 26% saturated fats. Added sugars is only 19% in the lunch.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response only partially addresses the task requirements. First, it fails to meet the minimum length requirement, falling short at 148 words (with 9 words copied from the prompt excluded). Regarding content, the overview contains factual inaccuracies and confusion regarding the trends, stating that nutrients decreased in the dinner and lunch categories when dinner actually contains the highest percentages for sodium and saturated fat. While key features such as the high snack percentage for added sugar are mentioned, the overall reporting is mechanically structured and lacks a fully developed, accurate summary of the visual data. To reach a higher band, the writer must ensure the word count exceeds the minimum, avoid inaccurate generalisations in the overview, and present a clearer, more precise summary of the main features.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response shows some organisation with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs, but there is no clear overall progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately, such as the awkward transition 'However, the proportion of snacks represented 42% of added sugars.' Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information feels disjointed, with breakfast and lunch split awkwardly across separate paragraphs rather than being contrasted logically. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it hard to follow the comparisons between the different meals. To improve, the writer needs to ensure logical sequencing between paragraphs, use a wider and more accurate range of cohesive devices, and construct a more cohesive overview that accurately reflects the data.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The lexical range is limited but minimally adequate to convey the basic subject matter. The writer uses standard terms related to the visual data, such as 'proportion', 'percentage', and specific nutrients like 'sodium', 'saturated fats', and 'added sugars'. However, there are noticeable vocabulary errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'typical food meals' instead of 'typical meals', and tense inconsistencies in descriptions like 'are 37%'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are minimal and sometimes result in unnatural collocations. To achieve a higher band, the writer must expand their lexical repertoire, incorporate more precise and flexible vocabulary, and eliminate word choice errors that detract from the overall precision of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and basic subject-verb-complement patterns. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, these are often faulty or awkward, such as 'Overall, it is evident that the percentage of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugar decreased, respectively in the dinner and lunch category'. Frequent errors in grammar and punctuation appear throughout the text, including tense shifts ('It accounted for... while saturated fats and added sugars are') and missing pluralisation or awkward noun phrases ('decreasing trend of nutrients', 'similar amount'). These errors can cause occasional difficulty for the reader. To improve, the writer needs to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures and exercise better control over grammatical agreements and verb tenses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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