Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-21

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 8.0)

The three pie charts illustrate the average percentage contribution of four meal types (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) to the daily intake of three specific nutrients: sodium, saturated fats, and added sugar in the USA. All three nutrients can be detrimental if consumed in excess.

Overall, it is evident that dinner is the primary source of sodium and saturated fats, while snacks contribute the most to sugar intake. Breakfast and lunch generally account for smaller proportions of these nutrients compared to dinner.

Regarding sodium, dinner accounts for the largest share at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks each contribute 14% to the total sodium intake.

In terms of saturated fats and added sugar, both show similar patterns for breakfast, with each accounting for 16% of the total intake. However, their distribution differs significantly in other meals. For saturated fats, dinner remains the highest contributor at 35%, followed by lunch at 26% and snacks at 21%. In contrast, added sugar consumption is dominated by snacks, which account for 42% of the total, significantly higher than dinner (28%) and lunch (19%).

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the charts and provided a clear overview that highlights the main trends. The data is accurately reported, and you have made effective comparisons between the nutrients and meal types, such as noting that while dinner is the primary source for sodium and saturated fats, snacks dominate sugar intake. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, ensuring that the reader gets a comprehensive summary of the provided data without unnecessary detail. You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a standard structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on specific nutrients. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'In terms of', 'However', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different categories of information, making the text easy to follow. The flow between sentences is smooth, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive phrasing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'detrimental', 'primary source', 'proportion', and 'dominated by'. The language is natural and fits the academic context of the task perfectly. There are no spelling errors, and your word choices are consistently accurate. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms to describe the data, which contributes to the overall fluency and sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex sentence structures used correctly. You have successfully employed subordinate clauses and comparative structures, such as 'while snacks contribute the most to sugar intake' and 'significantly higher than dinner'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors in subject-verb agreement or tense usage. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of control over English grammar.

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

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