Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-10

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 5.0)

The pie compare the proportions of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in USA.

Overall, The highest percentage of sodium and saturated fat consumed in dinner and least in breakfast for both, while the biggest segment in added sugar is snack.

Dinner represented the larghest proportion of sodium about 43%, followed by lunch approximately 29%, while snack and breakfast almost equal at just 14%. In contrast, the proportion for saturated fat the dinner considerably higher about 37% and lunch represented only 26% and snack shared about 21%. The least significant category is breakfast just 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the main pattern that dinner has the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, and that snacks lead for added sugar. You also report several relevant figures accurately, including sodium at 43% for dinner and 29% for lunch. However, the response is incomplete: it gives no figures or comparisons for added sugar, and the saturated-fat description omits the comparison with sodium and does not clearly report all meal shares. The task requires at least 150 words, but your response contains 87 words; the 12 words copied from the prompt are not counted. This shortfall contributes to the limited coverage and development. Add a fuller overview and report the key contrasts across all three nutrients.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic, sensible structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph with supporting figures. The overview helps the reader identify the main pattern, and phrases such as “followed by” and “In contrast” show an attempt to connect comparisons. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph covers sodium and saturated fat but stops before discussing added sugar, leaving the report unfinished. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “while snack and breakfast almost equal,” which would be clearer as a complete comparison. Develop the body in a more systematic order, covering each nutrient and using clear links to compare the meal categories.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportions,” “percentage,” “represented,” and “category,” and the reader can generally understand the comparisons. There is some variety in expressions such as “followed by” and “considerably higher.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “The pie compare” and “the biggest segment in added sugar” do not describe the chart precisely, while “least significant category” is not an appropriate way to identify the smallest share. “Larghest” is also misspelled. Aim for precise reporting language such as “the largest proportion” and “accounted for,” and check spelling and natural collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple statements and longer comparative sentences, and the main meaning is usually recoverable. However, control is uneven, with errors in sentence formation, agreement, articles, and punctuation. For example, “The pie compare” lacks correct subject–verb agreement, and “the proportion for saturated fat the dinner considerably higher” is missing a verb and has an unclear grammatical structure. The overview also begins “Overall, The,” with an unnecessary capital after the comma. Several clauses omit articles or verbs, as in “while snack and breakfast almost equal.” Use complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement and punctuation. More accurate control of these basic structures would make your comparisons easier to follow.

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

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