Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-29
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 rendered pie chart depict the information about average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, the maximum value is dinner while the minimum value is snack and breakfast.
In detials first we talk about the sodium. The highest value is 43% which is covered by dinner and lowest value is 14% which is covered by snack and breakfast. 29 % cover is lunch. Breakfast always lowest value of all types of nutrients.
Secondly we talk about saturated fat the highest value is 37% which is covered by dinner and lowest value is 16% which is covered by breakfast. 21% cover is snack. 26% covered by lunch.
thirdly we talk about added sugar. There is a large big difference in this meals Snack cover the highest is 42%. Dinner contributes is 23% whie lunch account for 19%. Breakfast lower value cover is 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You report the figures for all three nutrients, and several are accurate: dinner is highest for sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead for added sugar. However, the overview is misleading: “the maximum value is dinner while the minimum value is snack and breakfast” does not capture the different pattern for added sugar, where snacks are highest. The claim that breakfast is “always lowest” is also inaccurate, since snacks and breakfast tie for the lowest sodium share. The response is 136 words, below the required 150, and this limits the detail available for a fuller summary. Add a clear overview of the contrasting meal patterns and compare the key highs and lows accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic sequence: an introduction, an overview, and separate sections for sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. This makes the nutrient-by-nutrient organisation understandable. However, progression is mechanical, with “In detials first,” “Secondly,” and “thirdly” functioning mainly as repeated signposts rather than linking comparisons. The overview also conflicts with the later detail about snacks having the highest added-sugar figure, which weakens the overall flow. Some sentences are fragments or awkwardly arranged, such as “29 % cover is lunch,” so relationships between figures are not always clear. Group the main patterns in a more purposeful overview, then use complete, connected sentences to compare meals within each nutrient.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “sodium,” “saturated fat,” “added sugar,” and “contributes,” so the reader can identify the chart categories. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated or unnatural, such as “value is covered by,” “cover is,” and “large big difference.” These choices make the description less precise and sometimes awkward. There are also spelling errors, including “detials” and “whie,” and inconsistent forms such as “saturated fats” versus “saturated fat.” Use standard chart language such as “accounts for,” “makes up,” and “share,” and choose precise comparisons like “highest proportion” or “lowest figure.” Proofreading spelling and avoiding repeated wording would improve clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
Most sentences use simple structures, and the basic meaning of the figures is generally recoverable. However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships unclear. For example, “The rendered pie chart depict” has subject–verb disagreement, while “29 % cover is lunch” and “21% cover is snack” do not form grammatical sentences. “Dinner contributes is 23%” combines incompatible verb patterns, and “Breakfast lower value cover is 16%” lacks a clear grammatical structure. Sentence variety is also limited, with little use of accurate complex forms. Practise complete subject–verb sentences, for example, “Lunch accounts for 29% of sodium,” and check agreement, articles and punctuation when reporting each figure.
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