Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-20

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 6.0)

The three pie charts illustrate the proportion of different types of unhealthy nutrients found in meals consumed by population of US.

Overall, sodium is consumed at a higher proportion compared to other nutrients like saturated fat and added sugar, typically during dinner. Meals with added sugar is consumed highest as a snack while saturated fat is more likely eaten during dinner.

Meals with sodium and saturated fat are consumed at a higher rate during dinner of 43% and 37% respectively. On the other hand, sodium is consumption is minimal as a snack or breakfast while saturated fat is lowest only during breakfast.

Added sugar is typically common for snacks, comprising of 42% and least as breakfast, a similar rate to meals containing saturated fat. Higher percentage of meals during lunch consist of sodium compared to added sugar. Subsequently, meals with sodium are typically consumed less by people as snacks. The percentage of the three nutrients generally found in meal remain relatively the same within a range of 14 to 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify several important patterns accurately: dinner has the highest shares of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks account for the most added sugar (42%). You also note that breakfast is low across all three nutrients. This gives the report a relevant overview and supports it with key figures. However, the overview is not fully accurate when it says sodium is consumed at a higher proportion than the other nutrients: the charts compare meal distributions within each nutrient, rather than showing overall consumption of one nutrient against another. Some comparisons are also unclear or incomplete, such as the statement about lunch, and the final sentence does not clearly explain what the 14–16% range refers to. Clarifying these points and comparing the distributions more precisely would strengthen coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs reporting details. The main patterns are generally grouped sensibly, and linking phrases such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” help signal relationships. However, progression is weakened by repeated references to dinner and snacks, and some connections between ideas are difficult to follow. For example, “Subsequently” does not clearly express the relationship between the preceding lunch comparison and the point about sodium in snacks. The final sentence about a 14–16% range is also disconnected from the preceding comparison. Organise the details by meal or by nutrient, and use linking words only when their logical relationship is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of chart-reporting vocabulary, including “proportion,” “comprising,” “typically” and “percentage,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts to vary phrasing rather than simply list figures. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, however: “sodium is consumption” and “meals with added sugar is consumed highest” do not express the intended ideas naturally. “Higher rate” is also less precise than language describing a share or percentage. Aim for concise, accurate phrases such as “the share of sodium” and “accounted for the largest proportion.” This would make the report sound more natural and precise while retaining its relevant vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple statements and more developed structures, including the contrast introduced by “On the other hand” and the clause beginning “while saturated fat is lowest…”. Most of the information remains understandable, but some grammatical errors reduce accuracy. For example, “Meals with added sugar is consumed highest” has a subject–verb agreement problem and an awkward passive construction; “sodium is consumption is minimal” contains an incorrect structure; and “meal remain” needs plural agreement. The opening also needs an article in “by population of US.” Review agreement, articles and sentence construction, and prefer direct active forms such as “Snacks contain the highest share of added sugar.” More consistently accurate sentences would improve control.

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