Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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 in three different type of meals consumed in 4 different times dinner, snack, breakfast and lunch in USA, which cause health issues if eaten too much.

In general, the proportion of sodium were highest consumed in dinner, while, in snack time its shows the lowest percentages. In contrast, saturated fat and added sugar both showed highest percentages in dinner and snacks. However, breakfast was the only time where people consumed this three different meals at lowest.

Looking at the details, the proportion of sodium in dinner was accounted at 43%, whereas, 29% in lunch. In addition, 14% in snacks and breakfast, respectively. However, saturated figure eaten 37% in dinner, 26% in lunch. Moreover, 21% and 16% in snack and breakfast.

Remaining to the other point, 42% of people consumed added sugar in snack, while 23% in dinner. Breakfast were at 16% eaten by people. In addition, 19% people consumed added sugar in dinner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main meal patterns and include most of the key figures, such as sodium peaking at dinner (43%) and added sugar being highest in snacks (42%). However, the overview contains a significant contradiction: it says saturated fat and added sugar both peak at dinner, although added sugar peaks at snacks. It also says breakfast is the lowest for all three nutrients, but breakfast and snacks tie for the lowest sodium share, and snacks are not lowest for added sugar. The final sentence misreports 19% as being consumed at dinner; it belongs to lunch. These inaccuracies and the limited comparison of the overall patterns make the summary only partially effective. Check each overview claim against the chart and compare the three nutrients more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs, and it generally moves from sodium and saturated fat to added sugar. This gives the reader some organisation. However, progression is weakened by unclear or repetitive linking, including repeated use of “However” and “In addition,” and some transitions do not express the relationship between the figures accurately. For example, “Remaining to the other point” does not clearly signal a shift, while the last sentence repeats a figure already given but assigns it to the wrong meal. Group the information by meaningful comparisons and use fewer, more precise connectors. Clearer links between the overview and supporting details would make the organisation easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “percentages,” and “consumed,” so the topic is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “three different type of meals,” “in 4 different times,” and “saturated figure eaten.” The phrase “which cause health issues” also makes the chart description sound as though the meals themselves cause illness, rather than excessive nutrient intake being potentially unhealthy. Repetition of “consumed” and “percentages” further restricts flexibility. Use accurate terms such as “nutrient,” “share,” and “accounted for,” and describe meal categories as “breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks” rather than as different types or times.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “while” and “whereas,” but control is inconsistent and many sentences contain errors. Examples include “the proportion of sodium were highest,” where the singular subject requires “was,” and “Breakfast were at 16%,” which has the same agreement problem. The opening sentence is difficult to parse because of the construction “in 4 different times dinner, snack, breakfast and lunch.” Several fragments, such as “Moreover, 21% and 16% in snack and breakfast,” lack a main verb, while commas are often placed incorrectly around “whereas” and “in addition.” Build complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement and punctuation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.