Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-18

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 given pie charts illustrate the proportions of three types of nutrients used in typical meals, that might be harmful for health if used too much.

Overall, high percentage of sodium and sugar in meals increased the acidity in dinner and snack, respectively. On the other hand, other meals contain less amount of sodium and sugar as compared to dinner and snack. Meanwhile, quantity of saturated fat remained high in meal used in dinner.

Dinner used high percentage of sodium about 43%, while it used 37% saturated fat and 23% of sugar. Likewise, lunch also preserved maximum amount of sodium about 29%, whereas it contained 26% of saturated fat and 19% of sugar.

On the other hand, snack and breakfast contained less amount of nutrients regarding to dinner and lunch. Snack contained 42% of sugar, while 21% saturated fat and only 14% sodium. Moreover, breakfast accounted same percentage of sugar and saturated fat to approximately 16%, while contained only14% sodium.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You report several key figures accurately, including dinner’s 43% sodium and 37% saturated fat, and the snack’s 42% added sugar. You also compare meals rather than listing every value in isolation. However, the overview is partly unclear and includes an unsupported claim that nutrient levels “increased the acidity”; the charts show proportions, not effects on acidity. The statement that lunch “preserved maximum amount of sodium” is also inaccurate, since dinner has the highest sodium share. A clearer overview would identify dinner as the largest source of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contribute the most added sugar, and note breakfast’s generally low shares. Some comparisons are present, but the main features are not consistently selected or expressed precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs grouping meal comparisons. This gives the information a coherent overall arrangement, and transitions such as “On the other hand” and “Moreover” help signal relationships. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear or contradictory statements. For example, the overview says sodium and sugar increased “in dinner and snack,” then says other meals contain less, without clearly distinguishing the highest meal for each nutrient. The lunch paragraph also interrupts the otherwise useful grouping of dinner and snack patterns. Use a more direct overview followed by comparisons organised consistently by nutrient or by meal, and make each linking phrase reflect the actual relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “proportions,” “percentage,” “saturated fat,” and “accounted,” and the reader can generally understand which nutrients and meals are being compared. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “increased the acidity,” “preserved maximum amount,” “quantity … remained high,” and “regarding to dinner.” Repetition of “contained” and “amount” also limits flexibility. Choose precise chart-reporting language: describe a meal as “accounting for” or “contributing” a share, and use “highest” or “lowest” when comparing values. More accurate collocations would make the comparisons clearer and help you use a wider range without sacrificing meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “while” and “whereas,” and most of the intended comparisons remain understandable. Some grammatical errors nevertheless recur. For example, “high percentage of sodium and sugar … increased” has an unclear subject and agreement, while “other meals contain less amount” and “breakfast accounted same percentage” have problems with articles and sentence structure. The phrase “only14%” also needs spacing, and “while contained only14% sodium” lacks a clear subject and article. Practise building comparisons with parallel forms, such as “Dinner accounts for 43% of sodium, compared with 29% at lunch,” and check articles, agreement, and complete clauses when using “while.”

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