Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-14
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 7.5)
The pie charts illustrate the percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contained in four different meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, dinner accounted for the largest proportion of both sodium and saturated fat, at 43% and 37% respectively, while snacks represented the highest share of added sugar, at 42%. By contrast, breakfast generally accounted for the smallest proportions.
Looking first at sodium, dinner accounted for 43%, making it the largest category. This was followed by lunch, at 29%. By contrast, breakfast and snacks represented only 14% each. A similar pattern can be seen for saturated fat, with dinner again recording the highest figure, at 37%. Lunch accounted for 26%, while snacks and breakfast represented 21% and 16%, respectively.
Turning to added sugar, the pattern was different. Snacks accounted for the largest proportion, at 42%, followed by dinner at 23%. By contrast, lunch represented 19%, while breakfast had the lowest figure, at 16%. Therefore, snacks had the highest percentage of added sugar, whereas dinner contributed the greatest proportions of sodium and saturated fat.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully selected and reported key features from the charts. The comparisons between the nutrient categories are accurate and well-supported by the data provided. For instance, you correctly identified that dinner is the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate in added sugar. The information is logically grouped, and the summary is concise and relevant. You have fully met the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response by highlighting the most significant differences and similarities across the four meal types.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-structured and easy to follow. Each paragraph has a clear focus, moving from an introduction and overview to detailed body paragraphs. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Overall', 'By contrast', 'Looking first at', and 'Turning to', which help guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is logical, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the different nutrients is smooth, ensuring that the information is presented in a coherent and professional manner.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a data-reporting task. Terms such as 'accounted for', 'proportion', 'represented', and 'contributed' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is precise and avoids unnecessary repetition. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated synonyms or collocations to describe trends, such as 'constituted the bulk of' or 'a significant disparity'. However, the current range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and with a professional tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writing is highly accurate, with a wide range of sentence structures used correctly. You have successfully employed complex sentences, such as 'Overall, dinner accounted for the largest proportion of both sodium and saturated fat, at 43% and 37% respectively, while snacks represented the highest share of added sugar, at 42%.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
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