Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-03

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 three pie charts illustrate the proportion of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in our routin meals in the USA.

Overall, both of sodium and saturated accounted a highest proportion in dinner, while for added sugar was the highest in snack. For the breakfast has approximately the same average of the three nutrients.

Firstly, the pie chart presents added sugar, snack took a highest percent of 42%, then the dinner with 23% and both of breakfast and lunch 16%, 19% respectively.

Secondly, for sodium and saturated fat, we remarked that for both of them dinner presents 43% and 37% respectively at the highest proportion, after that for the lunch and brekfast they showed roughly the same proportion of 26% and 16% respectively, and for the lowest proportion the snack with 14% for sodium and 21% for saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main pattern correctly: dinner has the largest shares of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead for added sugar. You also include several relevant figures. However, one key detail is inaccurate: added sugar at breakfast is 16% and lunch is 19%, not the reverse as your sentence implies when it assigns 16% to lunch and 19% to breakfast. The overview’s claim that breakfast has approximately the same average for all three nutrients is broadly supported, but could be expressed more clearly. The response is also 11 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail available. To strengthen the report, check each figure against the chart and add a clearer comparison of the contrasting snack and dinner patterns.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two detail paragraphs. The sequence from added sugar to sodium and saturated fat is understandable, and signposts such as “Overall,” “Firstly” and “Secondly” help the reader follow the report. However, some linking is mechanical, and the final paragraph combines two nutrients with several meal comparisons in a sentence that is difficult to track. Phrases such as “after that” do not clearly show the relationship between the figures, while “for the lowest proportion” makes the comparison awkward. Use shorter, more clearly organised sentences and group information consistently—for example, compare dinner and snacks across the nutrients, then report the remaining meal figures.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “proportion,” “pie charts” and “highest,” so the topic is clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are unnatural, such as “routin meals,” “took a highest percent,” “we remarked,” and “dinner presents 43%.” There are also spelling errors, including “brekfast,” which reduce the accuracy of the report. Aim for precise, conventional language for describing data: for example, say that a meal “accounted for” a percentage or that a figure “was the highest.” Varying terms such as “share,” “percentage” and “proportion” can also help, provided they are used accurately and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast in the overview and a sentence beginning “while.” However, errors in sentence construction and grammatical relationships are frequent enough to make some statements awkward or unclear. For example, “both of sodium and saturated accounted a highest proportion” is missing a suitable structure and article, while “For the breakfast has approximately the same average” is not a complete, well-formed sentence. In “after that the lunch and brekfast they showed,” the subject is repeated and the sentence pattern is faulty. Practise complete clauses with clear subjects and verbs, and check articles, agreement and parallel structures. More accurate sentence patterns will make your comparisons easier to understand.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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