Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-15

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 charts illustrates the average proportions of three types of nutrients named sodium, saturated fats and added sugar in typical meals which all are considered unhealthy if their intake is excessive in meal.

overall, added sugar accounted for higest percetage in snacks whereas sodium made lowest percwtage in breakfast and snacks.

the percetage share of sodium intake recorded highest in dinner with 43%, follwed by 29% in lunch. The breakfast and snack together formed 14% of sodium, similar pattern of saturated fats was observed started from highest percentage in dinner with 37%, then lucnh with figure 26% but snacks and breakfast recrded diffrent propotions with 21% and 16% respectively.

the percetage of added sugar presented diffrent pattern from above two with higest vaue of 42% in luch, then dinner stood with 23% while brakfast and lunch accounted for alomost same percentage of added sugar with only diffrece as percetage for lunch 19% and for breakfast 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main pattern that dinner contributes the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, and you include several relevant figures. However, the overview is incomplete and contains an important misreading: added sugar is highest in snacks at 42%, not lunch. The final paragraph repeats this error, and also says breakfast and lunch are almost the same, although the comparison should be between breakfast (16%) and snacks (42%) only if describing the smallest and largest shares; lunch is 19%. The overview should summarise the contrasting meal patterns accurately, especially that snacks lead for added sugar while dinner leads for the other nutrients. Some comparisons are also unclear, such as “breakfast and snack together formed 14%,” when each accounts for 14%.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, overview and two detail sections, and the figures are generally grouped by nutrient. This gives the reader some structure. However, progression is weakened by unclear or inaccurate comparisons, particularly “breakfast and snack together formed 14%,” which could mean their combined share, and by the repeated claim that added sugar peaks in lunch. Linking phrases such as “followed by” and “whereas” help, but the final paragraph’s sequence of breakfast, lunch and dinner is confusing and does not clearly compare all four meals. Use one paragraph for the overview and organise the details consistently, for example by comparing dinner, lunch, breakfast and snacks across the nutrients.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “average proportions,” “accounted for,” “highest” and “pattern,” and the reader can usually identify the nutrients and meals being discussed. However, spelling errors are frequent and sometimes make the text harder to read: “higest,” “percetage,” “follwed,” “diffrent” and “brakfast.” There are also awkward or imprecise expressions, such as “formed 14% of sodium” and “dinner stood with 23%.” Aim for accurate spelling and more natural chart language, such as “made up,” “accounted for” or “the figure for dinner was.” Avoid repeating “percentage” when “share” or “proportion” would be clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including comparisons with “followed by” and clauses introduced by “whereas.” However, errors in agreement, articles and sentence construction occur throughout. For example, “The charts illustrates” should be “The charts illustrate,” and “overall” needs capitalisation after the full stop. The phrase “which all are considered unhealthy if their intake is excessive in meal” is difficult to construct clearly; a more controlled version would be “all of which may be unhealthy when consumed in excess.” Several long sentences join multiple comparisons without clear punctuation, making relationships harder to follow. Build accuracy first with shorter, complete sentences, then add complex clauses where the comparison is clear.

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