Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-22

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 bar charts illustrate the median proportion in typical meals of three types of nutrients namely; sodium, saturated fat, added sugar, all of which is harmful if consume in excessive amount.

Overall, all three types of nutrients are consumed in the highest amount at dinner, while it showed lowest proportion in breakfast. Moreover, the added sugar consumption is higher in snacks.

Regarding sodium, dinner had the major percentage, with approximately 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. while the consumption of sodium at snacks time and breakfast time is almost identical, each accounted for 14%. For saturated fat, the USA people consumed highest at dinner, roughly 37% and the lowest at breakfast nearly 16%. Snack and lunch meals had the significant proportion, contributed to 21% and 26% respectively.

In terms of Added sugar, it seen clearly that the snacks had the higest proportion, almost 42% of total consumption. In contrast, breakfast, lunch and dinner had 16%, 19% and 23% proportion respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover all three nutrients and report the key meal patterns accurately: sodium and saturated fat peak at dinner, while added sugar is highest in snacks. The figures you give, including 43% sodium at dinner, 37% saturated fat at dinner and 42% added sugar in snacks, match the chart. Your overview also identifies the main contrast, and the body provides relevant supporting comparisons. However, the statement that all three nutrients are lowest at breakfast is not accurate for added sugar, which is lowest at breakfast but still lower than lunch and dinner; more importantly, dinner is not the highest meal for added sugar. Your overview partly corrects this by noting the snack peak, but could distinguish the patterns more precisely and avoid the broad claim that all nutrients peak at dinner.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate detail paragraphs for sodium and saturated fat, followed by added sugar. Information generally progresses logically, and signposting such as “Regarding sodium” and “In terms of Added sugar” helps readers follow the comparisons. This organisation is effective, though some linking is mechanical and punctuation interrupts the flow—for example, “29%. while” should not begin a new sentence with a lowercase conjunction. The overview also combines a general claim with a contrasting point without fully clarifying the relationship. To strengthen cohesion, use smoother transitions between nutrient groups and make the overview’s comparisons more precise, so the reader can see immediately that added sugar follows a different meal pattern.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “accounted for,” “consumption,” and “in contrast,” and the meaning is generally clear. However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “median proportion” for the chart’s average percentages, “highest amount” when describing percentages, and “snacks time.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “higest,” and awkward phrasing such as “the USA people consumed highest.” These issues limit precision and naturalness, even though the reader can understand the comparisons. Aim for accurate, conventional expressions such as “the proportion of sodium,” “the highest share,” and “people in the USA consumed,” and check spelling carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including the opening description and comparisons introduced by “while” and “in contrast.” However, errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence boundaries are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “all of which is harmful if consume” has agreement and verb-form problems; “it seen clearly” is missing a verb; and “while the consumption…” follows a full stop but begins with a lowercase letter. The phrase “the lowest proportion in breakfast” also shows an inaccurate grammatical pattern. These errors do not prevent understanding, but they reduce control. Practise complete clause structures, subject–verb agreement and consistent punctuation, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and finite verb.

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.