Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-04
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 charts illustrate the percentages of three different nutrients consumed during typical meals in the USA.
Overall, it can be seen that major provider of sodium and saturated fat is the dinner, while snacks are the leading provider of added sugar
According to the sodium chart, dinner accounted for 43%, followed by lunch at 29% and breakfast and snacks took up the same level each contributed 14%. The chart indicates that dinner is the main source of sodium.
Regarding saturated fat, dinner accounted for the biggest position at 37% and the lunch at 26%. Breakfast provided 16% and snacks 21%. It is same type of sodium dinner being a crucial contributor.
Regarding added sugar, snacks are the top sources in the chart represent at 42%, dinner followed with 23%, breakfast accounted for 16% and lunch with 10%. This chart differs from the other two because added sugar is mainly consumed as snacks rather than at dinner in American diet.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully identifies the main features of the charts and provides relevant comparisons. You have clearly highlighted the dominant sources for each nutrient, such as dinner for sodium and saturated fat, and snacks for added sugar. The overview is present and captures the essence of the data. However, the report could be improved by grouping the data more effectively to avoid a repetitive list-like structure. While you have selected the key information, the analysis remains somewhat descriptive. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more integrated rather than simply listing percentages for each category.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs for each nutrient. The use of paragraphing is appropriate. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Regarding', 'According to'). There are also minor issues with referencing and flow, such as the phrase 'It is same type of sodium dinner being a crucial contributor', which is grammatically awkward and disrupts the logical flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information, including terms like 'nutrients', 'accounted for', and 'contributor'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'biggest position' instead of 'largest proportion' and 'represent at 42%' which is grammatically incorrect. The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and ensuring that words are used in their correct grammatical context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the lunch'), incorrect verb forms ('dinner followed with'), and awkward phrasing ('breakfast and snacks took up the same level each contributed 14%'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not significantly impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you should aim for more error-free sentences and greater control over complex structures, particularly when describing data trends and comparisons.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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