Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-06
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 three pie charts illustrates the average proportion of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, sodium and saturated fats accounted for largest proportion at dinner, while breakfast recorded the lowest percentage in all three types of nutrients. Whereas, added sugars represented highest proportion during snack time.
Looking first in sodium intake, dinner had the largest proportion (43%). Lunch at 29%, whereas both snack and breakfast recorded a similar percentage which is 14%.
In terms of saturated fat consumption, dinner had the highest percentage (37%). Lunch at 26%, whereas snack stood at 21% . Finally, breakfast recorded smallest proportion which is 16%.
Turning to intake of added sugar, snack had the largest proportion (42%). Dinner at 23%, following this lunch stood at 19%. Finally, breakfast accounted lowest percentage which is 16%. In comparsion, intake of all three types of nutrients stood at same proportion at breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
Note: The length requirement of 150 words was not met; the response contains 139 words (excluding words copied from the prompt). Despite this length penalty, the response successfully addresses all parts of the task by selecting, reporting, and comparing the main features of the charts. An appropriate overview is provided, noting the peak periods for each nutrient and the similarity at breakfast. Key data points such as the 43 percent for sodium at dinner and 42 percent for added sugars during snack time are accurately reported and contrasted. However, the under-length nature of the response prevents full extension in some areas, keeping the task achievement score at this level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression throughout. Information is grouped logically by nutrient category, with each paragraph focusing on a specific type of nutrient. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader, such as 'Looking first in', 'In terms of saturated fat consumption', and 'Turning to intake of added sugar'. However, paragraphing could be structured more effectively, and some cohesive referencing is slightly mechanical. Furthermore, minor cohesion issues such as 'Looking first in' instead of 'Looking first at' detract slightly from fluency, reflecting a performance that meets the lower band fully while showing partial characteristics of the higher band.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The response uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'percentage', 'consumed', and 'nutrient'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'accounted for', 'represented', and 'comparsion' (note the spelling error). Some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing occur, such as 'Looking first in sodium intake' instead of 'at', and the misspelling of 'comparsion'. These errors do not impede communication, and the lexical range is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision when reporting data trends, fulfilling the requirements for this level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and comparative structures such as 'while breakfast recorded the lowest percentage' and 'whereas both snack and breakfast recorded a similar percentage'. There are some grammatical errors, particularly missing verbs or incomplete clause structures in data reporting, such as 'Lunch at 29%, whereas...' and 'Dinner at 23%, following this lunch stood at 19%'. Punctuation and article errors also occur occasionally, but these errors rarely impede communication and sentence structures remain generally understandable throughout.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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