Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-06

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 below illustrates the average percentage of nutrients in typical meals in the USA, which may be unhealthy if eaten in large portion.

Overall, Snacks contain maximum portion of added sugar, whereas breakfast contain least added sugar. Dinner is responsible for large sodium and saturated fat intake.

Dinner contains 42% sodium and 37% saturated fat which is highest in the graph, whereas, contain only 23% of added sugar which is comparatively less than sodium and saturated fat. Snacks contains 42% of added sugar which is highest, 21% saturated fat and only 14% sodium.

Lunch is responsible for 29% of sodium which is second highest, 26% of saturated fat which is also second highest and only 19% fat. In the other hand, breakfast contain only 14% sodium, 16% saturated fat and added sugar which is the lowest in all three unhealthy nutrients.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the charts, identifying the highest and lowest values for the three nutrients. However, the report is under the 150-word minimum, which limits the depth of the analysis. While the key trends are identified, the comparison between categories could be more detailed. The inclusion of data is accurate, but the overall development is constrained by the length. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview and expand on the comparisons between the four meal types to meet the word count requirement and fully address the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. There is a logical progression from the overview to the specific data points. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'whereas', 'which is'). The transition between the paragraphs is functional but lacks variety. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider range of linking words and referencing techniques to connect ideas more fluidly rather than relying on simple sentence structures to list the data.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to describe the data clearly. However, the range is limited and somewhat repetitive, with frequent use of basic terms like 'maximum', 'highest', and 'lowest'. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'large portion' instead of 'large portions' and 'responsible for' used in a slightly unnatural way in this context. To improve, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to data description, such as 'constitute', 'account for', or 'predominant'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('Snacks contain', 'breakfast contain', 'Dinner contains') and missing articles ('responsible for large sodium'). Additionally, the phrase 'In the other hand' is an incorrect collocation for 'On the other hand'. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage would significantly improve the accuracy of the writing.

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

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