Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-28

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 given figures provides us with information about the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar consumed in four meals in USA. Overall, dinner contains the highest proportion in sodium and saturated fat, while snacks account for the largest percentage of added sugar.

First of all, at sodium, dinner accounts for the largest share, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%, while breakfast and snack contains 14% and 14% respectively. Secondly, regarding saturated fat, dinner again shows the highest source, representing 37% of the total. Lunch accounts for 26%, while snacks contribute 21%, and breakfast show the lowest percentage that was 16%. Thirdly, in terms of added sugar, snacks presents the highest percentage that followed 42% of total. The second highest percentag was dinner that showed 23%, while lunch contains 19% percent of total. breakfast contains the lowest rate in added sugar that was 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main pattern accurately: dinner has the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead for added sugar. The figures you report are consistent with the chart, and you cover all three nutrients with relevant comparisons. This gives the response a clear overview and adequate factual support. However, the overview is brief, and the report mainly lists values rather than drawing out broader contrasts—for example, that sodium and saturated fat peak at dinner, whereas added sugar is concentrated in snacks. The breakfast and snack figures for sodium are equal, a useful comparison you do include. The response is also three words below the required minimum, so add a little more relevant comparison and development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information is arranged in a sensible order: an introduction and overview are followed by separate coverage of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. Sequencing phrases such as “First of all,” “Secondly” and “Thirdly” help the reader follow the categories, and the comparisons within each section are generally understandable. However, this linking is somewhat mechanical, and the response reads mainly as a sequence of data points rather than a connected comparison. Some transitions, such as “at sodium” and “regarding saturated fat,” do not form natural links. A clearer paragraph break before the detailed comparisons, together with more varied links that show contrast or similarity across nutrients, would make progression smoother and cohesion less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “proportion,” “largest share,” “accounts for” and “percentage,” so the reader can understand the comparisons. There is some attempt to vary how the figures are described. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “at sodium,” “highest source,” “snacks presents” and “the second highest percentag.” Repetition of “percentage” and “contains” also limits flexibility, while the spelling error in “percentag” reduces accuracy. Aim for precise chart language and check word forms and spelling. For example, describe a meal as “accounting for” a share or say a nutrient “is highest in” a meal, rather than calling the meal a “source.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple statements and some longer comparative sentences, and the intended meaning is generally clear. However, subject–verb agreement and sentence construction are not consistently controlled: “The given figures provides” should use a plural verb, while “breakfast and snack contains” also needs plural agreement. In “snacks presents the highest percentage that followed 42%,” the clause structure is faulty; a direct construction such as “snacks account for the highest share, at 42%” would be clearer. There are also inconsistent sentence openings and punctuation, including the lowercase “breakfast” after a full stop and extra spaces. More accurate agreement and cleaner clause patterns would improve control while retaining the range of sentence forms attempted.

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