Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-16

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 7.5)

The three pie charts illustrates the average proportions of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contributed by breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the largest share of both sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks are by far the main source of added sugar. Breakfast contributes the smallest or joint-smallest proportions across all three nutrients.

In terms of sodium, dinner represents the highest proportion at 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks each account for 14%. A similar pattern can be seen for saturated fat. Dinner again makes up the largest contribution, at 37%, while lunch accounts for 26%. Snacks provide a further 21%, and breakfast has the lowest figure, at 16%. Thus, the difference between the highest and lowest proportions is 21% points.

The distribution of added sugars differ considerably. Snacks are responsible for 41%, almost twice the proportion attributed to dinner, which stands at 23%. Lunch contributes 19%, while breakfast has the smallest share, at just 16%. Notably, snacks alone contribute more added sugar than breakfast and lunch combined.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear overview of the main features across all three pie charts and making appropriate comparisons. The figures cited are accurate according to the visual data provided, such as identifying dinner as the primary source of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), and snacks as the dominant source of added sugar (42% vs 41% written). Important trends, such as breakfast consistently contributing the smallest proportions, are clearly highlighted. The information is well-supported with precise data points without becoming overly mechanical. The response fully satisfies the requirements for Task Achievement at a high level, showing clear selection and reporting of main features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph paraphrasing the prompt, followed by a well-crafted overview paragraph. The body paragraphs are logically divided by nutrient type (sodium/saturated fat grouped together, followed by added sugars), facilitating a smooth and natural comparison. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly throughout the text (e.g., 'whereas', 'In terms of', 'A similar pattern can be seen', 'Notably'). Paragraphing is used appropriately, ensuring each section has a distinct focus and contributing to an easy-to-follow, coherent structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is used precisely to describe statistical data, with terms such as 'proportions', 'accounts for', 'represents', 'distribution', and 'contribute'. There is successful use of less common phrasing like 'joint-smallest proportions', 'dominant source', and 'combined'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, although there is a minor numerical discrepancy in the text for added sugars in snacks ('41%' is written instead of the chart's '42%', though this is a very minor slip). Overall, the vocabulary effectively conveys precise meaning with natural control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. Examples include participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'while lunch accounts for 26%', 'whereas snacks are by far the main source'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. There is a slight subject-verb agreement slip in the opening sentence ('The three pie charts illustrates' instead of 'illustrate'), but this is a rare minor slip that does not impede communication. The overall grammatical control easily supports a high band score.

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

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