Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26
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 chart compares the percentage breakdown of three meals such as Sodium, Saturated fat and Added sugar consumed in the USA.
Overall, Sodium took up the largest proportion as it was the most popular meal and the added sugar consumed least proportion while, Saturated fat, was the moderate proportion.
In Sodium, Dinner had the largest proportion in 43% of the most consumed meal. Lunch had accounted for 29%. However, breakfast and snacks had the similar pattern in 14%.
In Saturated fat, the dinner made up the largest proportion in 37% as compared to the added sugar of the dinner accounted for 23%. . By contrast, Lunch had the highest proportion in 26% and it declined in 19%. Moreover, snacks, was twice as high in saturated fat as compared to added sugar from 21% to 42%. Meanwhile, Breakfast consumed in both nutrients had identical pattern in 16%.
In summary, Sodium had the most popular consumed meal in the USA as compared to saturated fat and added sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main features of the charts, such as the dominance of sodium in dinner and the comparison between nutrients. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, you describe sodium as a 'meal' rather than a nutrient, and the statement that 'snacks was twice as high in saturated fat as compared to added sugar from 21% to 42%' is confusing and misrepresents the data. While you attempt to compare the three categories, the lack of clarity in identifying the nutrients versus the meal times hinders the overall task achievement. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the categories (nutrients) and the variables (meal times) to provide a more accurate summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'In Sodium' and 'In Saturated fat' are used to introduce paragraphs, but they are grammatically awkward as they refer to the nutrient rather than the data set. Additionally, some sentences lack logical flow, such as the transition between the discussion of dinner and lunch in the second paragraph. While there is a basic progression of ideas, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the occasional confusion in referencing make the text feel somewhat disjointed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision. You frequently use the word 'proportion' where 'percentage' or 'share' would be more appropriate. There are also issues with word choice, such as referring to nutrients as 'meals' (e.g., 'Sodium took up the largest proportion as it was the most popular meal'). This indicates a misunderstanding of the data. While you attempt to use some comparative language, the range is limited, and the errors in terminology occasionally impede the clarity of the information being presented.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'the added sugar consumed least proportion while, Saturated fat, was the moderate proportion' and 'Dinner had the largest proportion in 43% of the most consumed meal.' The use of prepositions and articles is often inconsistent, and there are punctuation errors, such as unnecessary commas. While these errors do not completely prevent the reader from understanding the general intent, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency and accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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