Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-08

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 pie charts compare the average percentages of different kinds of nutrients in typical meals consumed in the USA that may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

"Overall, it is clear that all three kinds of nutrients were constituted higher portion of the dinner, whereas consumption of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars remained almost stable in breakfast.

In USA, dinner recorded 43% for the sodium intake, 27% of saturated fat and 23% of added sugar, while lunch accounted the second consumption category for such nutrients. In lunch, 29% sodium was the highest proportion, followed by 26% of saturated fat and 19% of added sugar.

Breakfast allocated 16% for the saturated fat and added sugar but 14% sodium was the minor intake for the people in USA.

Moreover, snacks recorded highest portion of added sugar about 42%, followed by 21% of saturated fat and 14% of sodium intake.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main pattern that dinner contributes the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, and that snacks are the leading source of added sugar. However, the overview overgeneralises by saying all three nutrients have a higher portion at dinner; added sugar is highest in snacks. There is also a key data error: dinner’s saturated-fat figure is 37%, not 27%. The statement that breakfast is “almost stable” is unclear, and the response gives limited comparison of the overall distribution. The report is also two words below the required minimum. To strengthen coverage, give an accurate overview of the contrasting peaks, check each figure, and include a little more comparison across meals.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: an overview is followed by details about dinner and lunch, breakfast, and snacks. This makes the information broadly understandable, and linking expressions such as “while,” “followed by,” and “Moreover” help connect comparisons. However, the progression is not fully controlled: the overview’s claim about dinner conflicts with the later point that snacks lead in added sugar, and the meal-by-meal paragraphs do not consistently compare all three nutrients. The opening quotation mark before “Overall” is also unnecessary. Organise the report around the main contrasts—dinner for sodium and saturated fat versus snacks for sugar—then support each with accurate figures and clear transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “average percentages,” “accounted,” “proportion,” and “intake,” and the reader can generally understand the comparisons. However, several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “nutrients were constituted higher portion,” “lunch accounted the second consumption category,” and “Breakfast allocated 16%.” These choices make some relationships harder to interpret and limit the precision of the report. “Minor intake” is also an awkward way to describe the lowest share. Aim for standard chart-reporting collocations such as “accounted for,” “made up,” and “the smallest proportion,” and use “share” or “percentage” consistently when describing the figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including comparisons joined with “whereas” and “while,” and most of the intended meaning remains recoverable. However, grammatical control is uneven, particularly in longer clauses. For example, “all three kinds of nutrients were constituted higher portion” has an incorrect passive construction and lacks an article; “lunch accounted the second consumption category” is missing a required preposition; and “Breakfast allocated 16%” uses a subject that cannot perform that action. The sentence beginning “In USA” also needs an article before the country name. Practise building accurate comparison patterns, such as “Dinner accounted for…” and “The share of sodium was…,” and check articles and prepositions.

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