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 charts illustrates the average percentage of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar in typical meals consumed in the USA and excessively having this nutrients can lead to health issues. Looking at the data, it is readily apparent sodium and saturated fats are majorly consumed in dinner and Added sugar is majority consumed during having Snacks.
Starting with breakfast, it includes 14% of sodium and percentage for saturated fats and added sugar is marginally increased to 16%. Furthermore, Lunch consists of 29% of sodium, which decrease gradually at 26% for saturated fats. Whereas added sugar shows significant reduction to 19%. Moreover, dinner meal contains 43% of sodium highest of all. But reduced gradually for saturated fats for 37% and added sugar had comparatively smallest share of 23%.
Additionally, Snacks are the most unhealthy items of all containing 42% of just sugar. Whereas, nutrients like sodium and saturated fats are 14% and 21% respectively. These are all essential nutrients but if consumed
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the charts, such as the high sodium content in dinner and the high sugar content in snacks. However, the response is incomplete as it ends abruptly mid-sentence ('if consumed'). This prevents a full overview or a concluding summary, which is a requirement for Task 1. While you have selected relevant data points, the lack of a finished conclusion and the incomplete final sentence mean the task is not fully addressed. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the overall trends and check that your sentences are complete before finishing.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'Starting with', 'Furthermore', and 'Additionally' to transition between ideas. However, the progression is interrupted by the incomplete final sentence, which leaves the reader hanging. Additionally, some referencing is slightly mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'Whereas' and 'Moreover'. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your paragraph structure leads to a logical, completed conclusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'marginally increased', 'significant reduction', and 'comparatively smallest share'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'excessively having this nutrients' (should be 'excessive consumption of these nutrients') and 'majorly consumed' (should be 'mainly consumed'). There is also a minor error in 'dinner meal' (redundant). While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the score. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise academic collocations would improve your performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. For example, 'The charts illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), 'which decrease gradually at 26%' (should be 'decreases to'), and 'reduced gradually for saturated fats for 37%' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete final sentence is a significant issue. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Reviewing your work for basic grammatical slips before finishing will help you achieve a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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