Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-13
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 illustrate the average percentages of three types of nutrients consumed in typical meals in the US. These three nutrients(sodium, saturated fat and added sugar) can be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Overall, sodium and saturated fat are highly consumed during dinner, while added sugar are eaten mostly eaten in snacks. All the three nutrients are consumed less at breakfast.
14% of sodium is consumed during snack and breakfast and almost double of this percentage is eaten during lunch. 43% of sodium is also consumed during dinner.
21% of saturated fat is eaten in snacks and added suger is consumed double of this figure during snacks.16% of saturated fat and added sugar are eaten during breakfast. 37% of saturated far is consumed during dinner and
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the three nutrients and provide a relevant overview: sodium and saturated fat peak at dinner, while added sugar is highest in snacks. Several figures are accurate, including sodium at 14% for breakfast and snacks, 29% for lunch and 43% for dinner, and saturated fat at 37% for dinner. However, the report is incomplete: it stops mid-sentence and gives little comparison of the full data, particularly the added-sugar figures for meals other than breakfast and snacks. The claim that all nutrients are consumed least at breakfast is not supported, since added sugar is lowest at breakfast but sodium is equally low in snacks. The response is also 23 words below the required minimum. Develop the comparisons and finish the report to address the task more fully.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to specific figures. This gives the reader a basic sense of organisation. However, the progression is limited: the final paragraph shifts between nutrients and meal types without a clear grouping, as in the sentence about saturated fat and added sugar in snacks followed by breakfast and dinner figures. The report also ends abruptly with “and”, leaving the final point unfinished. Cohesive links are sparse, and the repeated use of “is consumed” makes the account feel list-like. Group the information by nutrient or by meal pattern, use clear comparisons to connect figures, and ensure each paragraph and sentence is complete.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use relevant task vocabulary such as “average percentages”, “nutrients”, “sodium” and “saturated fat”, so the topic is generally clear. However, the range of reporting language is limited, with repeated forms of “consumed” and “eaten” and few precise comparison expressions. Some word choices and forms are inaccurate: “highly consumed” is not a natural way to describe a chart proportion, and “added suger” and “saturated far” contain spelling errors that may distract the reader. The phrase “eaten double of this figure” is also awkward. Build a more varied set of accurate expressions for proportions and comparisons, and proofread spelling and collocations before submitting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response communicates its main points through mostly simple sentence patterns, with some attempts to combine information. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors occur in both agreement and sentence construction. For example, “added sugar are eaten” should use a singular verb, and “All the three nutrients are consumed less at breakfast” is awkwardly structured. The sentence beginning “21% of saturated fat…” runs several comparisons together without clear punctuation, while the final sentence is incomplete: “37% of saturated far is consumed during dinner and”. These issues make parts of the report difficult to follow. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and use complete, clearly punctuated sentences when comparing multiple figures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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