Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The charts illustrate the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, it it clear that sodium and saturated fat are the most consumed nutrients in dinner. In comparison, added sugar has the highest consumption in Snack category. Breakfast is the only meal which has the lowest consumption of these nutrients.

Regarding the charts, the nutrient sodium has the highest proportion in Dinner category at 43%, second only to Lunch, accounted for 29%. Snacks and Breakfast has the same amount of sodium consumption at 14% respectively.

Saturated fat is the most consumed nutrient for Dinner meal at 37%, followed by Lunch at 26% and Snacks at 21%. Breakfast has the least amount of consumption for saturated fat at 16%.

In contrast, Added sugar has the highest consumption for Snacks category at 42%, with Dinner coming in a close second at 23%. After which, Lunch accounted for 19% followed by Breakfast at 16%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the charts and provides a clear overview. You have accurately selected and reported the key data points for sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars across the four meal categories. The comparisons made between meals are relevant and support the summary well. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are described with complete accuracy; for instance, you mentioned sodium in dinner is 'second only to lunch', but the data shows dinner is actually the highest at 43%, while lunch is 29%. Careful proofreading of your data interpretation will ensure your summary is fully accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs that group the nutrients effectively. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In comparison', 'Regarding the charts', and 'In contrast' helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, such as 'After which,', which is not the most natural way to introduce a sequence. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different nutrients, which aids the overall readability of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data, such as 'proportion', 'consumed', and 'category'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'Snack category' (should be 'the snack category') and 'Dinner meal' (redundant, as dinner is a meal). To improve, try to incorporate more varied reporting verbs or nouns to describe the trends, rather than relying heavily on 'consumption' and 'accounted for'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as the typo 'it it clear', subject-verb agreement issues like 'Snacks and Breakfast has' (should be 'have'), and missing articles throughout (e.g., 'in Dinner category'). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the consistent use of articles will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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