Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-09

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 illustrations give information about the average percntage of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA. Overall, all three nutrients intake are different during meals time and sodium is more in dinner and also luch but least in breakfast. Although snaks percentage more in added sugar as compare to other two nutrients.

It is quite evident from the given pie charts which show the ratio of different nutrients during typical meals. In breakfast saturated fat and added sugar both have the same ratio which is 16% but the sodium should be low percentage then both these which is 14%. In case of luch sodium intake ratio increase from another given two.

Furthermore, in dinner sodium also has greater percentage and which is 43%, saturated fat 37% and added sugar is 23%. In snack category its ratio increased from sodium to added sugar like 14% in sodium, 21% in saturated fat and 42% in added sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the chart topic and report several relevant figures, including dinner sodium at 43%, dinner saturated fat at 37%, and snack added sugar at 42%. The comparisons in the final paragraph also capture the broad contrast between dinner and snacks. However, the overview is unclear and does not clearly summarise the main pattern across all three nutrients; the claim that sodium is high in “luch” is not supported by a figure, and the lunch values are otherwise omitted. The response is also three words below the 150-word minimum; the 14 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. Add a concise overview and report the lunch comparisons accurately to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction and overview, followed by details about breakfast and lunch, then dinner and snacks. This gives the reader some organisation, and “Furthermore” signals a move to another set of data. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview combines several claims without explaining the overall pattern, and the lunch discussion ends abruptly without figures. Phrases such as “In case of luch” and “In snack category” make the relationships between comparisons less smooth, while “Although” begins a fragment-like contrast. Grouping the meal comparisons more systematically and using clear links between them would make the report easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “average percentage,” “pie charts,” “ratio,” and the nutrient names, so the topic remains understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. For example, “nutrients intake” and “during meals time” are unnatural, while “the sodium should be low percentage” does not express the comparison clearly. “Ratio” is also repeated where “proportion” or “share” would be more suitable for percentages. There are spelling errors such as “percntage,” “luch,” and “snaks.” Use precise comparison language and check spelling to make the data description clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some complex structures, such as “Although snaks percentage more in added sugar as compare to other two nutrients,” but this construction is incomplete and difficult to interpret. There are recurring problems with agreement and sentence formation: “all three nutrients intake are different” needs a clearer subject and verb, and “sodium also has greater percentage and which is 43%” contains an unnecessary conjunction and an unclear clause. Articles and comparison patterns are also often missing or faulty, as in “saturated fat 37%” and “increase from another given two.” Most sentences communicate the intended topic, but these frequent errors limit clarity. Practise accurate simple comparisons before adding more complex clauses.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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