Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-24

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 chart illustrates the proportion of three type of nutrients in normal meals, However it can be unhealthy if consumed in significant amount. Nutrients such as sodium and saturated fat, and sugar.

Overall, the noticable trend is that sodium and saturated fat holds significant proportion in dinner meals. while in breakfast these nutrients such as sugar, sodium, and fats, take slight proportion as compares to other.

Dinner meals in USA accouted higher persentage of nutrients such as in sodium is accounts about 41% and saturated fat holds 37% and sugar around 23%, while the second top meal that takes quite proportion is lunch in it sodium accounts about 29% and fats around 26% and sugar is slighty dropped up to 19%

Now in breakfast saturated fat and suger holds constant proportion around 16%while sodium takes up to 14%, Sodium is constant in breakfast as well as in snacks a slight increase in saturated fat, however sugar in snack accounts higher then rest of the meals for about 42%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main pattern: dinner has the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks account for the most added sugar. You also compare meals and report several figures, so the key features are addressed. Most figures are accurate, including lunch at 29% sodium and 26% saturated fat, and snacks at 42% added sugar; however, dinner sodium is 43%, not about 41%. The overview is relevant, but the claim that breakfast nutrients take a “slight proportion” is vague, and the comparison of breakfast with snacks is not fully developed. To strengthen the response further, state the main contrasts more precisely and check each figure against the chart.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable overview followed by details about dinner and lunch, then breakfast and snacks. This gives it some organisation, and phrases such as “while” and “however” attempt to show contrasts. However, progression is not consistently clear: the opening sentence is fragmented, and the overview’s “while in breakfast” comparison is difficult to follow. The long paragraph combines several meal comparisons, while transitions such as “Now” do not clearly signal a new stage of the description. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and grouped details, and organise the figures in a consistent order—for example, compare each nutrient across meals or compare meals across nutrients. Clearer referencing would also reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “accounts,” “higher percentage,” and “constant,” and the reader can generally understand the comparisons. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “takes slight proportion,” “takes quite proportion,” and “sugar is slightly dropped.” Spelling errors—including “noticable,” “accouted,” “persentage,” and “slighty”—also make the writing less controlled. Aim for precise, repeatable language for describing data, such as “accounts for,” “represents,” “is the highest share,” and “falls to.” Check spelling carefully, especially for key terms and words used to report figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer comparisons, but control is uneven, and errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “sodium and saturated fat holds” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “in sodium is accounts about 41%” contains an unclear and faulty verb pattern. The opening also joins sentences incorrectly: “The pie chart illustrates …, However …” In addition, “three type of nutrients” needs a plural noun, and the final sentence runs several ideas together without clear punctuation. Practise accurate patterns such as “Sodium accounts for 43% at dinner, compared with 14% at breakfast and in snacks.” Shorter, well-punctuated comparisons will help you show grammatical range more reliably.

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.