Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-28
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 CHART PROVIDE THE DETAIL OF AVERAGE PERCENTAGE IN TYPICAL UNHEALTHY MEALS CONSUMED OF THREE TYPE OF NUTRIENTS SUCH AS SODIUM,SATURATED FAT AND ADDED SUGAR IN USA.
OVERALL, DINNER WAS RECORDED HIGHEST PERCENTAGE IN BOTH SODIUM AND SATURATED NUTRIENT GROUPS, WHILE SNACKS DOMINATED ADDED SUGAR CATEGORIES.
IN DETAIL, IN SODIUM, DINNER TIME WAS CONSISTED HIGHEST SODIUM 43%, AND LUNCH TIME WAS RECORDED SECOND HIGHEST 29%, WHILE BOTH LUNCH AND BREAKFAST TIME EACH CONTAIN 14% SODIUM.
IN TERMS OF SATURATED FAT, DINNER ACCOUNTED HIGHEST NUMBER AT 37%, LUNCH TIME REPRESENTED SECOND LARGEST AT 26% SATURATED FAT .FOLLOWED BY SNACKS AT 21% AND BREAKFAST MADE UP SMALL PROPORTION AT JUST 16%.
REGARDING TO ADDED SUGAR, SNACKS TIME CONTAIN LARGER AMOUNT AT 42%, MAKING THEM FAR THE HIGHEST. DINNER ACCOUNTED THE NEXT HIGHEST AT 23% IN ADDED SUGAR, WHILE LUNCH TIME AT THIRD PLACE AT 19%, THE REMAINING BREAKFAST ACCOUNTED 16% ADDED SUGAR.
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 successfully identifies the main features of the charts and makes relevant comparisons between the three nutrient categories. You have clearly highlighted the highest and lowest values for each meal type. However, the report could be improved by grouping the data more effectively to avoid a repetitive listing style. While you have covered all parts of the task, the analysis remains somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more integrated, for example, by contrasting the dominance of dinner in sodium and saturated fat with the unique role of snacks in the added sugar category.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'In terms of', 'Regarding to', and 'While'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly inaccurate, such as 'Regarding to' (which should be 'Regarding') and the repetitive structure of starting each paragraph with 'In detail' or 'In terms of'. The progression of ideas is clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the data points more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'accounted for', 'dominated', and 'proportion'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'dinner was recorded highest percentage' (should be 'dinner accounted for the highest percentage') and 'snacks time' (should be 'snacks'). Additionally, there are minor errors in word formation, such as 'saturated nutrient groups'. While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the precision of your report. Expanding your range of reporting verbs and noun phrases would enhance your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as 'dinner time was consisted highest sodium' (should be 'dinner consisted of the highest amount of sodium') and 'snacks time contain larger amount' (should be 'snacks contain a larger amount'). Subject-verb agreement and preposition usage are inconsistent. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on accurate verb forms and article usage will significantly improve the quality of your sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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