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)
The bar charts illustrate the proportion of four types of meals consumed in different categories of nutrients in the USA which has included sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. These nutrients are harmful to health if eaten too much.
Overall, it is clear that most consumed of nutrients at dinner , but at breakfast it consumed less than other meals.
Firstly, commoners are consuming most sodium at dinner and lunch time which rates are 43% and 29% respectively, it is the most consumed rate all over the nutrients include all meals. However, snacks and breakfast consume rate is same only 14%.
Secondly, regarding Saturated fat at breakfast takes only 16% but lunch and snacks are consumed nutrients in meal slightly higher than breakfast the rates are 26% and 21% respectively. Also, it is showing at dinner people takes 37% of saturated fat which is the highest percentage above these meals.
Moreover, added sugar consumed most at snacks 42% which is the highest rate all over the nutriants. On the other hand, at breakfast, lunch and dinner these meals consumed added sugar sequentially, the rates are 16%,19% and 23% gradually.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by identifying the main features of the three nutrients across the four meal types. You successfully highlighted the highest values, such as sodium at dinner (43%) and added sugar at snacks (42%). However, the overview is slightly weak; it mentions that nutrients are consumed most at dinner, but this is an overgeneralization because added sugar is actually highest at snacks. To improve, ensure your overview accurately reflects the data trends for all categories. The data is generally well-selected, but the comparison between categories could be more analytical rather than just listing percentages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each focusing on a specific nutrient. You use transition signals like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Moreover' to guide the reader. However, the cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'it is showing at dinner people takes 37%'. The flow between sentences could be smoother; some sentences feel like isolated data points rather than a cohesive analysis. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer back to their antecedents would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'proportion', 'nutrients', and 'respectively'. However, there are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'commoners are consuming' (which is inappropriate in this context) and 'the rates are... gradually' (which does not accurately describe the data). There are also minor spelling errors like 'nutriants'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensuring that your word choices are contextually appropriate for a formal report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('people takes', 'snacks and breakfast consume rate is same') and article usage. Some sentences are structurally awkward, such as 'which rates are 43% and 29% respectively'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to limit the score. Focusing on consistent verb tense usage and refining sentence construction will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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