Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-05
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 charts illustrates the average percentages in the typical meals of three types of the nutrients all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much on the daily basis in the USA.
Overall, the dinner accounts the highest percentage of the sodium and saturated fats and accounts the lowest percentage of the sugar, while snacks accounts highest percentage of the sugar as compared to sodium and saturated fat.
Regarding to the sodium dinner comprises the highest share then lunch and the lowest and equal amount consumption of the snacks and breakfast in contrast, saturated fat comprises highest consumption of dinner after that lunch consumed third one is snacks and at last breakfast got the lowest numbers.
In the terms of added sugar snacks represent largest portion and the dinner is second highest contributor third one is the lunch and breakfast represents lowest portion in the chart standing at 16 percent.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response attempts to present an overview and cover the main features of the charts, noting that dinner has the highest sodium and saturated fats while snacks peak in added sugars. However, the word count is 140 words, failing to meet the minimum 150-word requirement (with 11 words copied directly from the prompt excluded). Furthermore, the information is presented with some mechanical listing rather than fully developed comparative analysis, and some details are slightly inaccurate or confusingly phrased, such as the description of consumption patterns across meals. To reach a higher band, you must ensure you write at least 150 words and integrate data more smoothly with a clearer selection of key highlights.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic overall structure, attempting an introduction with an overview sentence followed by body paragraphs for the nutrients. However, progression is somewhat hindered by a lack of proper punctuation, particularly running sentences together without full stops or commas (e.g., 'in contrast saturated fat...'). Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes awkward, such as 'Regarding to' and 'In the terms of', leading to a mechanical and choppy flow. To improve, use accurate transitional phrases, punctuate your sentences correctly to guide the reader clearly, and ensure each paragraph links logically to the next without abrupt shifts.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate vocabulary to discuss statistical data, using terms like 'percentages', 'average', 'highest percentage', and 'portion'. However, there are noticeable lexical and collocational errors throughout the text, such as 'accounts the highest percentage' (instead of accounts for), 'Regarding to' (instead of Regarding or As for), and 'In the terms of' (instead of In terms of). Word choice is occasionally repetitive and simplistic. To achieve a higher score, focus on precise collocations, accurate prepositional use with vocabulary items, and a slightly wider range of vocabulary to describe trends and proportions naturally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on a limited range of simple and overly extended, run-on sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the dinner accounts', 'snacks accounts'), missing articles ('the charts illustrates', 'highest percentage of the sodium'), and faulty prepositional phrases. Complex structures are attempted but lack accuracy, often resulting in confusing syntax. To improve your grammar score, focus on controlling basic sentence boundaries with proper punctuation, ensuring verbs agree with their subjects, and using articles correctly before nouns and statistical categories.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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