Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-25

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 typical percentage of type of nutrients present in typical meals eaten in the USA, each of all could be detrimental if eaten in excess.

Overall, all the three typical nutrients are present in enormous amount in the dinner and lunch. While in the breakfast and snack the sodium and saturated fat are present in samll quantities.

Sodium is available in small quantities in the breakfast and snack ranging 14% in each. However, in the dinner and lunch time it is present 43% and 29% respectively. While the saturated fats are present in relatively low amount in dinner and breakfast than sodium. It is available 37% and 26% in dinner and lunch respectively. Moreover, added sugars are also in lower amounts than saturated fats measuring 23% and 19% in dinner and lunch respectively.

The saturated fats and added sugars in the breakfast and snack are prresent in small amount ranging 16% saturated fats are present in the breakfast while 21% in snack. Similarly, 16% added sugar is present in breakfast. Large amount of added sugar is present in snack measuring 42%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the charts and provide an overview, then report figures for all three nutrients, including the key high values: sodium at dinner (43%) and added sugar in snacks (42%). Most figures you give are accurate. However, the overview is not fully supported by the data: dinner and lunch are not both high for every nutrient, since added sugar is highest in snacks, and breakfast and snacks are not uniformly low for sodium and saturated fat. Some comparisons are also unclear, such as saying saturated fat is lower than sodium in dinner and breakfast without specifying the relevant figures. A more precise overview contrasting dinner’s sodium and saturated-fat peaks with the snack peak for sugar would make the main features clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and linking expressions such as “However,” “Moreover” and “Similarly” help connect points. However, progression within the detail paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because meal categories and nutrients shift repeatedly, and some links do not express a clear contrast or comparison. For example, the sentence beginning “While the saturated fats…” is followed by figures for dinner and lunch, then the next sentence moves to added sugar. Grouping information by meal or by nutrient, and using clearer references to the figures being compared, would make the organisation more coherent and reduce the mechanical feel of the transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “quantities,” “measuring” and “in excess,” so the topic is generally clear. There is some repetition of “present” and “amount,” however, and several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “typical percentage of type of nutrients” and “available in small quantities.” Spelling slips, including “samll” and “prresent,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for concise, conventional expressions for describing data, such as “accounted for” or “made up,” and use “proportion” or “share” where appropriate. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish the highest and lowest meal contributions without relying on repeated descriptions of large or small amounts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “while” and “however,” and the main figures are usually understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in sentence construction and articles. For example, “each of all could be detrimental” is not a well-formed clause, while “it is present 43% and 29%” needs a grammatical pattern such as “it accounts for 43% and 29%.” The sentence beginning “ranging 16% saturated fats…” also lacks a clear structure and punctuation. There are occasional agreement and number issues, as in “all the three typical nutrients are present in enormous amount.” Practise complete comparisons and consistent sentence patterns to improve control.

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