Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14
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 pie charts compare the average percentages of three nutrients, namely sodium, saturated fat and added sugar, in typical meals in the USA.
Overall, dinner accounts for the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contain the highest proportion of added sugar. Breakfast generally has the lowest proportions of these three nutrients, although sodium accounts for the same percentage in both breakfast and snacks, at 14%.
Sodium accounted for 43% at dinner, the highest proportion among the four meals. Moreover, the proportions of sodium were 29%, 14% and 14% at lunch, breakfast and in snacks, respectively. The figures for saturated fat were 37% at dinner, 26% at lunch, 16% at breakfast and 21% in snacks.
Snacks had the highest proportion of added sugar, at 42%. Dinner accounted for 23%, while the figures for lunch and breakfast were 19% and 16%, respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the charts and making relevant comparisons. The overview accurately highlights the key trends, such as dinner containing the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks dominate in added sugar. Specific figures are well-selected and grouped logically across paragraphs. However, a penalty must be applied strictly based on the length check: the response contains 143 words, which falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task achievement is constrained by this under-length penalty, preventing a higher band score despite the accurate and clear reporting of data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is well-structured and demonstrates a clear overall progression. It begins with a clear introductory sentence, moves into a well-formulated overview paragraph, and then breaks down the specific nutritional data logically by nutrient and meal type. Cohesive devices are used effectively and without mechanical repetition, such as 'Overall,' 'while,' 'Moreover,' and 'respectively.' Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data. The referencing and logical links between sentences make the information very easy to follow, representing a strong performance in this category.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task. Phrases like 'average percentages', 'highest proportions', 'among the four meals', and 'respectively' are used accurately. There are also effective attempts at less common vocabulary related to data reporting. Word choices and collocations are generally natural, with no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient for precision, supporting clear descriptions of the chart data throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student uses subordinate clauses and participial phrases effectively, as seen in sentences like 'Overall, dinner accounts for the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contain the highest proportion of added sugar.' Grammatical control is strong, and the majority of sentences are error-free. Punctuation is handled correctly, particularly in the listing of data and the use of commas before prepositional phrases and conjunctions. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that cause difficulty for the reader.
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