Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-15

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 provided three pie charts compare the proportion of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar contained in four distinct type of meal consumed in USA .

Overall, it is crystal clear that Dinner accounts for the highest share of sodium and saturated fats, while added sugar is counted in snacks.

At the first glance, it can be clearly seen that Regarding sodium, Dinner makes up the maximum proportion at 43%, follwed by lunch 29% , Breakfast and snacks each account for 14 percentom. Similarly, 37% saturated fat contain in dinner occupy largest share. However, 26% in lunch , 21 percent and 16 percentile in snacks and breakfast respectively.

Moving further, Added sugar shows an opposite trend. Snacks constitute the maximum share at 42%, which is almost twice figure for dinner at 23%. Lunch accounts for 19% whereas breakfast has the lowest at 16 percentile.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the charts and makes relevant comparisons. However, the task achievement is negatively impacted by the word count, as the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. While the key trends for sodium, saturated fats, and added sugar are identified, the analysis is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with greater precision and that the response meets the length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive overview of the data provided in the charts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'However', and 'Moving further' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'At the first glance, it can be clearly seen that Regarding sodium'. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the transition between sentences could be smoother to improve the overall progression of information. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the mechanical nature of some transitions prevents a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, but there are several instances of non-standard usage, such as 'percentom' and 'percentile' instead of 'percent'. Phrases like '37% saturated fat contain in dinner' show a lack of control over word forms and collocations. While the student attempts to use descriptive language, the errors in word choice and the repetitive use of basic structures limit the score. To improve, focus on using accurate terminology for statistical data and ensuring that word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'four distinct type of meal' (should be 'types'), 'follwed' (spelling error), and '37% saturated fat contain in dinner' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and percentages. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors indicates a lack of control over complex structures. Improving proofreading and focusing on subject-verb agreement will help elevate the grammatical accuracy.

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

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