Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-12

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 6.0)

The pie charts compare the average proportions of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar consumed across four meal occasions-breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks-in the USA.

Overall, dinner contributions the largest share of both sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacking accounts for the highest proportion of added sugar. Breakfast consistently makes the smallest contribution across all three nutrients.

Regarding sodium, dinner accounts for the largest portion, at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks contribute equally, at 14% each. A broadly similar pattern emerges for saturated fat, with dinner again dominating at 37%, trailed by lunch at 26% and snacks at 21%, while breakfast lags behind at just 16%.

In contrast, the distribution of added sugar differs markedly: snacks are responsible for by far the largest share, at 42%, roughly double the amount consumed at diner (24%). Lunch and breakfast contribute smaller, comparable proportions, at 19%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all parts of the task and provides a clear overview of the main trends. You successfully identify the key features, such as dinner being the primary source for sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source for added sugar. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which is a negative factor. Additionally, the final sentence is incomplete, cutting off abruptly at '19%', which prevents a full summary of the data. To reach a higher band, ensure all sentences are completed and the minimum word count is met to allow for a more thorough analysis of the data points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the nutrients effectively. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'In contrast', and 'A broadly similar pattern' helps guide the reader through the comparisons. However, the abrupt ending of the final sentence disrupts the flow and cohesion of the concluding information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different nutrients. To improve, ensure that all sentences are fully formed to maintain the logical progression of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a data-reporting task, using terms like 'proportions', 'consistently', 'dominating', and 'markedly'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for the context. There are no significant spelling errors, though the word 'diner' is used instead of 'dinner' in the final paragraph, which is a minor slip. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information clearly, but incorporating more varied synonyms for 'contribute' or 'share' would enhance the lexical range further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'Overall, dinner contributions the largest share... whereas snacking accounts for...'. There is a grammatical error in the second paragraph: 'dinner contributions' should be 'dinner contributes'. Additionally, the final sentence is incomplete, which is a significant grammatical issue as it leaves the thought unfinished. While you show control over complex structures, the frequency of these errors and the incomplete sentence structure prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading to ensure subject-verb agreement and complete sentence construction.

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