Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The pie charts show the proportion of standard ratios of nutrients of three types in everyday meals of people living in USA and if their consumption is elevated then they can be harmful. Overall, the most significant feature is that dinner demonstrates the highest percentage eaten by people in typical meals.

Turning to the details, Sodium, Saturated fats and Added sugars were consumed by the residents of the USA on daily basis. The fraction of snacks having 42% is largest in Added sugar as compare to the Sodium (14%) and Saturated fat (21%) of meals. The ratio of breakfast is same in Added sugar and saturated fat while sodium has a difference of tiny proportion. The quantity of lunch is sodium is 29% and on the other hand, saturated fat and added sugar have 26% and 19% respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement. While you have identified some key features, the analysis is incomplete. You have not fully compared the data across all categories; for instance, you mention the highest percentages but fail to provide a comprehensive overview of the trends for each nutrient across all meal types. The summary is somewhat superficial, and the lack of length prevents a fully developed response. To improve, ensure you cover all data points provided in the charts and provide a more detailed comparison of the proportions for each nutrient.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into two paragraphs, which is a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Turning to the details' and 'on the other hand', the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'The quantity of lunch is sodium is 29%', which contains grammatical errors that hinder the logical flow. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, logical focus that guides the reader through the data.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'largest', 'same', and 'tiny proportion'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'standard ratios of nutrients of three types' and 'fraction of snacks having 42%'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to data description, such as 'constitutes', 'account for', or 'a significant disparity'. Focus on using more precise terminology to describe the proportions and trends shown in the charts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempts at complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity, such as 'The quantity of lunch is sodium is 29%' and 'as compare to'. The use of prepositions and sentence construction needs more attention. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparative structures. Proofreading for basic errors in sentence construction will also help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.

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

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