Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
The provided pie charts illustrate the average proportions of three potentially harmful nutrients - Sodium, Saturated fat and Added sugar - consumed across four different daily meals in the USA.
Overall it is clear that dinner accounts for the highest consumption of sodium and saturated fats, whereas snack contributes by far the largest share of added sugars. Conversly, the breakfast is consistently the meal with the lowest percentage across all three nutrient categories.
Looking the data in detail, dinner is primary source of sodium and saturated fat with percentage of 43% and 37% respectively. Whereas lunch holds 29% and 26% of sodium and saturated fat respectively, making it second largest portion for both nutrient categories. In contrast, the americans consume both of these nutrients much less in breakfast and snack portions as compared to lunch and dinner. In breakfast, 14% and 16%, and in snack 14% and 21% of sodium and saturated fat are consumed respectively.
Turning to added sugar, the trend shifts dramatically toward snacks, which hold 42% portion, while 16%, 19% and 23% for breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons. A clear overview is provided at the beginning, identifying the overall highlights such as dinner dominating sodium and saturated fats, while snacks lead in added sugars, and breakfast consistently recording the lowest percentages. The key data points are appropriately selected and supported with accurate figures from the charts, such as dinner accounting for 43% of sodium and snacks taking up 42% of added sugars. The ideas are extended and supported well throughout, although there is a slight tendency to present lists of figures towards the end of the body paragraphs rather than fully weaving them into deeper comparative analysis. Nevertheless, all prompt requirements are thoroughly met, earning a strong performance in this category.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and detailed body paragraphs that systematically break down the data by nutrient category. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'whereas', 'Conversly', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the macro-trends from the specific details. While the logical flow is mostly smooth, referencing and transitions could be slightly more polished to avoid minor mechanical feel in sentence links, such as 'Looking the data in detail' and minor typos in cohesive markers. Overall, the structure is well-managed and clear.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'proportions', 'consumption', 'dominating', and nutrient-related terminology. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, spelling, and phrasing throughout the text. For instance, 'Conversly' contains a spelling error, 'the breakfast' includes an unnecessary article, and 'primary source' misses an article ('the primary source'). Phrases like 'second largest portion' and 'hold 42% portion' lack precision in collocation. While these errors do not impede communication and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, the presence of these slips prevents the response from reaching a higher lexical band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures through subordinate clauses and comparative constructions. There are some grammatical errors in punctuation and structural patterns, such as missing prepositions or incorrect modifiers (e.g., 'Looking the data in detail' instead of 'Looking at the data in detail', and 'while 16%, 19% and 23% for breakfast' which lacks a verb). However, the errors in grammar and punctuation are intermittent and rarely impede communication. The majority of the simple sentences are accurate, and the structural variety shows a fair level of control, placing the response comfortably within this band.
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