Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25
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 pie chart depicts the average percentages in daily meals of three various types of nutrients, they can be harmful for health it eaten heavily.
Overall, what stands out from the data is that sodium is the most consumed nutrient at dinner, Following by saturated fat which is also taken most at dinner. However, sugar added is widely consumed in snacks.
Looking at the details, 43% of salt is consumed in the USA at dinner, while 29% at lunch, and 14% at breakfast, following by snacks. The other nutrient is saturated fat, which is extremely taken at dinner, at 37%, and 26% at lunch, 21% in snacks, while 16% at breakfast which is considered as very low amount compared to the rest.
Sugar is another nutrient which is greatly consumed in meals. Most of the sugar is consumed in snacks, 42%, whereas 23% at dinner, and 19% at lunch. Finally, 16% at breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features and comparing the three nutrients across different meal times. The overview identifies the key trends, such as sodium and saturated fat being highest at dinner, while sugar is highest in snacks. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical, simply listing percentages rather than synthesizing the data more effectively. For example, the description of saturated fat percentages is a list of figures without sufficient grouping or highlighting of the most significant contrasts. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping data points to tell a clearer story about the nutritional composition of these meals.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs for the details. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Looking at the details' and 'Finally', though some transitions are a bit repetitive or mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved to avoid a list-like structure. For instance, the transition 'Following by saturated fat' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the logical flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for a clear description of the data. You use some relevant terms like 'nutrients', 'consumed', and 'percentages'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'extremely taken at dinner' and 'it eaten heavily', which sound unnatural. The range is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'predominant', 'account for', or 'a significant proportion', rather than relying on simple verbs like 'taken' or 'consumed'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow, such as the comma splice in the first sentence ('...types of nutrients, they can be harmful...') and the incorrect use of 'it' instead of 'if' ('it eaten heavily'). There are also issues with verb forms and prepositions, such as 'Following by' instead of 'Followed by'. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence boundary punctuation and correct verb tense usage will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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