Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-22
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 5.0)
The charts below illustrates the average ratios in typical foods of three types of ingredients, all of which may be harmful to body if eaten in large quantity.
The typical meals consumed in USA for sodium, saturated fats and added sugar at breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks have different number of ratios to each other.
In breakfast, the average pct of saturated fat and added sugar is same 16 percent while sodium has 14 percent. In lunch, the saturated sugar ratio about 26 percent, 19 percent in added sugar and 29 percent in sodium. in dinner, In dinner, the percentage of saturated fat is 37 percent, 23 percent in added sugar and 43 percent in sodium. In snacks, the average pct of saturated fat is 21 percent, 42 percent added sugar and 14 percent sodium.
These are the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar in typical meals consumed in USA.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the charts, including the percentages for each nutrient across the four meal categories. However, the report is largely a list of data points rather than a summary that highlights key trends or significant comparisons. For example, the response does not explicitly point out that dinner is the highest source for all three nutrients or that snacks are the primary source of added sugar. The overview is missing, as the final sentence merely repeats the prompt rather than synthesizing the information. To improve, you should group data logically and identify the most striking differences or similarities between the categories.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is very limited, relying almost entirely on simple listing (e.g., 'In breakfast', 'In lunch', 'In dinner'). There is a lack of linking words to connect the data points or create a smooth flow between sentences. Furthermore, the repetition of 'In dinner' at the start of a sentence indicates a lack of careful proofreading. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', or 'consequently' to show the relationship between the different meal types.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and basic. You frequently use the word 'percent' and 'ratio' (which is misused here, as these are percentages, not ratios). Phrases like 'average pct' are informal and inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report. There is little attempt to use a range of vocabulary to describe trends or comparisons. To improve, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'peak at', or 'a significant proportion', and ensure that terms like 'percentage' are used correctly throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that affect clarity. There are subject-verb agreement issues, such as 'The charts below illustrates' (should be 'illustrate') and 'the average pct of saturated fat and added sugar is same' (missing 'the'). The sentence structure is very simple, consisting mostly of basic statements of fact. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which limits the range. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the repetitive and incorrectly capitalized 'in dinner' phrase. Focusing on sentence variety and ensuring subject-verb agreement will help improve your score in this area.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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