Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-17

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

IELTS Writing

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The charts show a comparative analysis of Sodium, saturated fat and added sugar comsumed during 4 types of meals in the USA: breakfast,lunch,snacks and dinner.

It is very clear that all three nutrients are consumed the most at dinner time.

For breakfast sodium is consumed 14% while saturated fat and sugar are both consumed 16%.

For lunch these numbers are 29%,26% and 19% respectively.

The amount of sugar consumed during snacking is very concerning. 42% of sugar is consumed during this meal. Sodium and saturated fat sit at 14% and 21% respectively.

Sodium is consumed 43% during dinner which is dangerously unhealthy. It should be cut down, as too much sodium can do more harm than good. Saturated fat and added sugar also need to be cut down, the values of which are 37% and 23% during dinner.

These are nutrients that are necessary for a healthy diet but too much can have the opposite effect on people's healths. So everyone should be careful about the percentages they need and should consume during meals.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You report the main figures accurately, including dinner as the largest meal for sodium and saturated fat, and snacks as the largest source of added sugar. The comparisons for breakfast and lunch are also relevant. However, the overview is not fully accurate: “all three nutrients are consumed the most at dinner time” conflicts with the chart, where added sugar peaks at snacks (42%). The final health advice about cutting down nutrients and monitoring intake is not required by this data-summary task and takes space from comparing the chart’s key patterns. To strengthen the response, give a concise, accurate overview that contrasts the dinner peaks with the snack peak, then focus consistently on describing the data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally clear sequence: it introduces the charts, gives breakfast and lunch figures, then discusses snacks and dinner. Short paragraphs make the information easy to follow, and phrases such as “For breakfast” and “For lunch” help signal comparisons. However, the overview’s claim that all nutrients peak at dinner disrupts the progression because the later snack figure shows that added sugar is highest there. The final paragraph shifts from reporting data to general dietary advice, so the ending does not neatly complete the comparison. Organise the body around meal patterns or nutrient patterns, and use a brief overview followed by data-focused comparisons to make the progression more consistent.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of task-related vocabulary, including “comparative analysis,” “consumed,” “values,” and “percentages,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are some imprecise or unsuitable choices: “dangerously unhealthy” and “very concerning” introduce subjective judgement rather than neutral chart description, while “healths” is an incorrect form in this context. “Sit at” is also informal for reporting figures, and “comsumed” is misspelled. Aim for precise, neutral language such as “accounted for” or “represented,” and avoid evaluating the health implications unless the task asks for them. More varied comparison language would also help you describe the differences without repeatedly using “consumed.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple sentences and some more developed structures, and most of the figures are expressed in understandable sentence patterns. For example, “For lunch these numbers are 29%, 26% and 19% respectively” is clear, while “It should be cut down, as…” shows an attempt to link ideas with a subordinate clause. Some errors and awkward constructions remain. In “The charts show a comparative analysis of Sodium…,” the capitalisation is unnecessary, and the opening list lacks consistent spacing and punctuation. “These are nutrients that are necessary… but too much can…” has an unclear reference: “too much” does not clearly identify which nutrient or quantity. Use clearer subjects and check punctuation and sentence boundaries to improve accuracy.

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

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