Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

The three pie charts illustrate the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contained in four different types of meals consumed in the USA.

For sodium, dinner accounts for the highest percentage at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks each make up 14%. A similar pattern can be seen for sarurated fat. Dinner contributes 37%, which is considerably higher than lunch at 26%. Snacks account for 21%, while breakfast has the lowest proportion at 16%.

Regarding added sugar, snacks are the main source, representing 42% of total. Dinner comes next 23%, while lunch makes up 19%. Breakfast has the smallest percentage, at only 16%.

In conclusion, dinner is the main source of sodium and saturated fat, where as snacks contribute the most added sugar. Breakfast hase the lowest or joint lowest percentage in all three categories.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers all three categories and identifies the main features, such as dinner being the primary source of sodium and saturated fat, and snacks being the main source of added sugar. However, the response is 141 words long, failing to meet the 150-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the analysis or provide a more comprehensive overview. While the key data points are accurate, the brevity prevents the response from reaching a higher band, as it lacks the depth of comparison expected for a fully developed Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific nutrient. The use of cohesive devices like 'For sodium,' 'A similar pattern,' and 'Regarding added sugar' helps the reader follow the information. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different nutrients, and the concluding summary is clear. To improve, the writer should aim for more varied cohesive links to avoid a repetitive structure and ensure the flow between sentences feels more natural and less like a list of data points.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'illustrate,' 'proportion,' and 'contributes' correctly. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'sarurated' instead of 'saturated' and 'hase' instead of 'has.' The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information clearly but lacks the sophistication or variety of less common lexical items that would characterize a higher band. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report, but it remains somewhat basic throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, there are a few errors, such as 'where as' (should be 'whereas') and the aforementioned spelling mistakes. The punctuation is generally correct, and the errors present do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures and ensure greater precision in spelling and word formation to minimize the frequency of minor errors.

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

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