Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The three pie charts compare the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, it is clear that the proportion of dinner increase over the period, while break fast experienced a decline. The remianed show relatively minor changes.

The averge percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients. The sodium showed the highest figure dinner aproximately 43%, next lunch accounted for 29%, while breakfast and snack made up decrease at 14%. Respectively. In addition, the proportions of sturated fat high rise value at 37%, then lunch represented by 26%, whereas snack and breakfast saw a lowest in the period at 22% and 16%, Respectively.

By contrast, the percentage added sugar accounted for the highest ratio snacks at 42%, morever lunch and breakfast contributed at 19% and 16% respectively, by the way, lastly dinner experience a moderated steadily at 23% thoughout the three charts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the subject and report several key figures, including dinner as the largest source of sodium (43%) and snacks as the largest source of added sugar (42%). However, the overview is inaccurate: these charts compare meal types, not change “over the period,” and breakfast does not consistently decline. Some data are also misreported: saturated fat in snacks is 21%, not 22%, and the claim that dinner proportions increase is not supported across all nutrients. The response is 128 words, below the required 150, so the summary is underdeveloped and omits useful comparisons, such as dinner being highest for sodium and saturated fat while snacks lead for added sugar. Add a clear, accurate overview and develop the comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs presenting details. This gives the reader some organisation, and connectors such as “Overall,” “By contrast,” and “In addition” show an attempt to link information. However, progression is not consistently clear. The overview refers to change “over the period,” although the charts compare meal categories, and the final paragraph combines several figures in a confusing sequence. Phrases such as “by the way” and “Respectively” do not create clear relationships between the data. Organise the body around meaningful comparisons—for example, sodium and saturated fat patterns, followed by the contrasting added-sugar pattern—and use linking words only where their meaning is precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “proportion,” “accounted for,” “contributed,” and “highest,” which helps communicate comparisons. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems make parts difficult to follow. Examples include “the proportion of dinner increase,” “made up decrease,” “a lowest,” and “experience a moderated steadily.” There are also spelling errors such as “averge,” “remianed,” “sturated,” and “morever.” Use standard chart language consistently, such as “accounted for,” “was highest,” and “represented,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would also help distinguish a share of a nutrient from a change over time.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “while” and “whereas.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors frequently make the intended relationships unclear. For example, “the proportion of dinner increase over the period” has an incorrect verb form and describes a trend that the charts do not show; “the sodium showed the highest figure dinner” lacks a clear grammatical link between the figure and meal; and “dinner experience a moderated steadily” has an incorrect subject–verb pattern. Sentence fragments such as “Respectively” also disrupt accuracy. Practise building complete comparison sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, articles, and punctuation before submitting.

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