Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-11
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)
this chart is giving information about the percentages of nutrients like sodium, fats and amount of sugar added in the meals that is being consumed in USA on daily basis. First chart illustrate that amount of sodium is being consumed in higher amount with percentage of 43 than in lunch in which its percentage is relatively low. However around fourteen percent of sodium is being consumed in breakfast and snacks. If we look on the data about saturated fats, thirty seven out of hundred percent of it is being consumed in dinner followed by 26% in lunch. However 16% of saturated fats is being consumed in dinner and remaining 21% in form of snacks.
Last pie chart illustrate sugar intake is higher in lunch rather than in form of any of three meals. On the other hand about 16% of sugar is being consumed in breakfast.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the charts, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the trends. You have included specific data points, but the comparison between the three nutrients is underdeveloped. Furthermore, there is a factual inconsistency in your description of saturated fats, where you mention dinner twice with different percentages (37% and 16%), which confuses the reader. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory summary and double-check your data transcription to ensure accuracy.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by the lack of a clear overview and some repetitive sentence structures. You use basic cohesive devices like 'First', 'However', and 'On the other hand', but these are used somewhat mechanically. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the paragraph regarding saturated fats, where the transition between the data points is confusing. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus that guides the reader through the data logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite repetitive. You frequently use the phrase 'is being consumed', which limits the range of your expression. There is little attempt to use less common vocabulary or precise collocations related to data interpretation (e.g., 'account for', 'constitute', 'a significant proportion'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of lexical variety prevents the response from achieving a higher score. Try to incorporate more varied verbs and nouns to describe the data, such as 'comprise', 'represent', or 'the majority of'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'this chart is giving information' (should be 'provides'), 'amount of sugar added in the meals that is being consumed' (subject-verb agreement issues), and 'If we look on the data' (preposition error: 'look at'). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and tense consistency. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and using more accurate prepositions when describing charts.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.