Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-12

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 image illustrate that types of nutrients which are used in food and showing average percentage in typical meals. These all nutrients are unhealthy if eaten too much at a time.

Overall, The charts show three nutrients ( sodium, saturated fats and added suggar) with average percentage of typical meals. This all average percentage of nutrients show in USA.

In sodium nutrients show a average percentage in different food item like in snaks is 14 percent , in breakfast is 14 percent , in lunch is 29 percent and in dinner is 43 percent. In saturated fat nutrients show a average percentage in different food item like in snaks is 21 percent , in breakfast is 16 percent , in lunch is 25 percent and in dinner is 37 percent. In added sugar nutrients show a average percentage in different food item like in snaks is 42 percent , in breakfast is 16 percent , in lunch is 19 percent and in dinner is 23 percent.

The difference between nutrient is that having different percentage in all over food items and there are some smilarites but not more than difference

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify all three nutrients and report most meal percentages accurately, including the key figures for sodium and added sugar. However, the response mainly lists data rather than selecting and highlighting the main features. The overview repeats that the charts show average percentages but does not state the important patterns: dinner has the highest sodium and saturated-fat shares, while snacks have the highest added-sugar share. There is also a factual error: saturated fat at lunch is 26%, not 25%. The final comment that there are “some similarities” is not explained or supported. To strengthen the report, give a clear overview of the contrasting peaks and compare the meal patterns directly, using accurate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph reporting the figures, followed by a brief comparison. This gives the information some organisation, and the repeated meal-by-meal sequence makes the data easy to locate. However, there is little progression from listing figures to interpreting them. The repeated frame “In … nutrients show a average percentage…” makes the report mechanical, while the final sentence introduces a comparison without explaining it. The overview also largely repeats the introduction rather than guiding the reader through the main patterns. Grouping the figures around the most important contrasts, and using clear links such as “whereas” or “by contrast,” would create a more coherent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “average percentage,” “nutrients,” “breakfast,” “lunch,” and “dinner,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repeated, especially “show a average percentage in different food item.” Some word choices and forms are inaccurate or awkward, such as “snaks,” “suggar,” and “food item” when referring to several meal categories. “The difference between nutrient” is also imprecise and does not clearly express the comparison. Aim for concise reporting language and accurate collocations, for example, describing the “proportion of each nutrient consumed at each meal” and saying that a figure “accounts for” a share. Proofreading spelling would also improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response relies mostly on simple sentence patterns, and errors occur frequently enough to make several sentences awkward. For example, “The image illustrate” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “These all nutrients are unhealthy” uses an incorrect word order. Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in “In sodium nutrients show a average percentage,” and the long data-list sentences are joined with commas rather than being controlled as clear, complete sentences. Capitalisation after “Overall,” is inconsistent as well. The figures remain mostly understandable, but the limited range and recurring errors restrict accuracy. Practise forming direct comparison sentences with a clear subject and verb, such as “Dinner accounts for the largest share of sodium,” and check agreement, articles, and punctuation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.