Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-03
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.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The pie chart illustrates the mean proportion of three key nutrients consumed in everyday meals in the USA. overconsumption of these arises health issues.
Overall, sodium and saturated fats are most abundantly used in dinner meals whereas additional sugar is major part of snacks. on the other hand, breakfast contains moderate amount of these nutrients.
Snacks and breakfast contain an average of 14% of sodium, where is this increases in lunch to 29% and most of it is found in dinner to almost 43%.
Saturated fats in morning meals are moderately present about 16%, getting more in snacks around 21%. Lunch contains 28% of such fats whereas the most abundant use is in dinners around 37%.
Added sugar is another culprit which is abundant in sugars around 42%. Breakfast has 16% of sugar and slightly more in lunch 19%. Lunch time meals contain 23% of additional sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying key trends for sodium, saturated fats, and added sugar. However, the report is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which impacts the overall score. While the main features are highlighted, some data points are inaccurate or confusingly presented, such as the claim that added sugar is 'abundant in sugars around 42%' (which is unclear) and the inconsistent labeling of meal categories. To improve, ensure all data is accurately transcribed from the charts and that the response meets the minimum length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive overview and detailed comparison of the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, 'where is this increases in lunch' is grammatically confusing and disrupts the logical progression of the comparison. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes applied incorrectly or in a repetitive manner. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence flows naturally into the next, avoiding fragmented or confusing transitions between data points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'proportion', 'overconsumption', and 'culprit' used to describe the data. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and repetition. For example, 'abundantly used' is not the most natural collocation for nutrients in meals, and the phrase 'abundant in sugars' is redundant. There are also minor errors in word form, such as 'everyday meals' instead of 'daily meals'. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to data interpretation, such as 'account for', 'constitute', or 'a significant proportion'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'where is this increases in lunch' and 'most of it is found in dinner to almost 43%'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters at the start of sentences (e.g., 'overconsumption', 'on the other hand'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and sentence structure accuracy will significantly improve the quality of the writing.
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