Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-24
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 that the average proportions in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.
Overall, it can be seen that the four types of meals consumed in the USA, while the percentages are integrate the charts.
In details, the percentage of sodium, dinner represents the highest proportion at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks are similar at 14%. Moreover, regarding the saturated fat, the number of dinner are 37% , after the breakfast are decrease at 16%. The lunch and snacks are 21% and 26% respectively.
Probing further, the percentage of snacks are high at 42% in added sugar, afterthat the dinner at 23%. Finally, the breakfast and lunch are 16% and 19%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the charts, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a cohesive overview. The introduction is grammatically incomplete, and the summary of the data is presented as a list of figures rather than a comparative analysis. To improve, ensure you provide a clear overview that synthesizes the trends rather than just listing percentages, and expand your analysis to meet the length requirement. The failure to reach the word count and the lack of a fully developed overview are the primary reasons for the lower band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes awkward, such as 'Probing further' and 'In details'. The connection between sentences is often mechanical, and the lack of clear transitions between the different nutrient categories makes the text feel disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the data comparison.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely heavily on basic structures and repetitive phrasing, such as 'the percentage of' and 'the number of'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'percentages are integrate the charts' and 'after the breakfast are decrease at 16%'. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'account for', 'constitute', 'a significant portion', or 'fluctuate'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, the opening sentence is a fragment rather than a complete sentence. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'the number of dinner are 37%' and 'the percentage of snacks are high'. The range of sentence structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement before attempting more complex structures. Ensure that every sentence has a clear subject and a correctly conjugated verb.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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