Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-29

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 6.5)

The pie charts provide the average proportions of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar—all of which are harmful if consumed excessively—during meals in the USA.

Overall, sodium and saturated fat have the highest consumption in dinner, while added sugar contributes the highest share in snacks. The lowest margin of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar is in the breakfast.

For sodium, dinner accounts for 43% as compared to lunch with 29%. The snacks and breakfast joint has the lowest figures with 14%. As for saturated fat, dinner has the largest share with 37%, followed by lunch with 26%. The consumption of saturated fat in snacks is just below a quarter. Breakfast has the lowest proportion at 16%.

In terms of added sugar, snacks constitute the largest share with 42%. The dinner makes up 23% to retain second rank. Lunch consistently accounts for 19% and is in third place. Breakfast contributes the lowest share with 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the charts and provided a clear overview. You accurately selected and reported the key data points for sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar across the four meal categories. The comparisons are relevant and well-supported by the figures provided. To reach a higher band, ensure that you synthesize the data more effectively rather than listing figures for each category sequentially. For instance, grouping the nutrients by their peak consumption times or identifying broader trends across the meals would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of analysis and better highlight the 'main features' as required by the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'As for', 'In terms of', and 'followed by' to link your points effectively. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by grouping the data more thematically rather than by nutrient type. For example, you could compare the nutrients within the same meal category to create a more cohesive narrative flow. Overall, the structure is clear and serves the purpose of the report well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'consumed excessively', 'lowest margin', and 'constitute the largest share' are appropriate for an academic report. There is some repetition of basic verbs like 'has' and 'is'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs or descriptive nouns to characterize the data trends, such as 'account for', 'represent', or 'comprise'. While your word choice is generally accurate, incorporating more precise collocations would elevate the sophistication of your writing and help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is handled well. There are minor issues, such as 'The snacks and breakfast joint has the lowest figures', which is slightly awkward phrasing. Additionally, ensure consistent article usage, as in 'The dinner makes up 23%'. While you demonstrate good control, incorporating a wider variety of complex grammatical structures—such as passive voice constructions or participle clauses—would demonstrate greater flexibility and help you move toward the higher band descriptors.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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