Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-01

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 pie charts illustrates the average proportion in typical meals of three thpes of nutrients which may be unhealthy when consuming too much.

Overall,Dinner accounted for the highest proportion in sodium and saturated fat while snack has the highest proportion in added sugar.

In sodium,dinner accounted for 43%,and 29% in lunch while snacks and breakfast has the same proportion which is 14%,in saturated fats,dinner accounted for 37%,while lunch accounted for 26%,snack 21% and breasket has 16%.

In added sugar,snack has the highest proportion which is 43%,follow by dinner with 23%and

lunch which has 19% and breakfast 26%.

In sodium,breakfast and snacks has the same proportion which is 14%,in saturated fat and sugar,breakfast accounted for the same proportion,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main pattern accurately in the overview: dinner has the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead for added sugar. Several figures are also reported correctly, including sodium at 43% for dinner and 29% for lunch, and saturated fat at 37% for dinner. However, the response only partly covers the data and includes a significant misreading: breakfast accounts for 16% of added sugar, not 26%. The final sentence repeats the breakfast comparison without clearly completing it, and the response is under the required 150 words, limiting the detail and comparisons provided. To strengthen the report, check every figure against the chart and add clear comparisons across all three nutrients, especially the contrasting snack pattern for sugar versus sodium and fat.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs giving figures, so the reader can identify the general subject and the main trend. However, progression is limited: the final paragraph repeats that breakfast and snacks have equal sodium shares and begins another comparison without explaining it fully. The repeated openings “In sodium” and “In added sugar” make the organisation feel list-like, while links between comparisons are sparse. Some punctuation spacing also makes boundaries between ideas harder to follow. Grouping the information more deliberately—for example, first comparing dinner and snack patterns, then reporting the remaining meal figures—would create a clearer progression. Complete each comparison and avoid repeating information already stated in the body.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary such as “proportion,” “accounted for,” and “highest,” which is enough to communicate the basic comparisons. The range is nevertheless limited and several noticeable spelling or word-choice errors reduce precision, including “thpes,” “breasket,” and “follow” where “followed” is needed. “Snacks” and “snack” are also used inconsistently as category labels. Repeated use of “accounted for” makes the report sound repetitive. Aim for accurate, varied language suited to describing data, such as “made up,” “represented,” “share,” and “percentage.” Proofreading spelling and choosing consistent labels for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks would make the information easier to read without changing its meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Most of the response uses simple reporting clauses, and the reader can generally understand the intended comparisons. However, the range of sentence structures is narrow, and errors occur frequently enough to affect fluency. For example, “The pie charts illustrates” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “snacks and breakfast has” should use a plural verb. The sentence beginning “In added sugar” is incomplete at the end, and punctuation is often attached to the following word, as in “Overall,Dinner” and “43%,and.” There is an attempt to combine information in longer sentences, but these are not consistently controlled. Practise accurate agreement, complete sentence construction, and punctuation, then use a few well-controlled complex sentences to compare meal categories.

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