Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
These chart depict the average ratios of different nutrients including: sodium, saturated fats and added sugar; if they taken too much then have harmful effects on human well-being.
Overall, sodium consumption enhanced at dinner, while saturated fat had smallest contributer in consumption. Added sugar accounted for smallest consumption at night.
To begin with, sodium had both equal ratio during breakfast and snack time which was accounted for 14%. Afterwards, dinner consumption was highest at night amounted to 43%, while lunch had only 29% consumption.
Secondly, saturated fat depicted the least eating at breakfast and higher at dinner time which was accounted for 16% and 37%. Then, snacktime and lunch consumption illustrated 21% and 26%.
Finally, added sugar represented only 19% of the total at lunch time and had 23% during dinner. Likewise, it had smallest consumption during breakfast, standing at 16% and highest at dinner time depicted 23%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all three nutrients and compares their consumption across the four meal times. However, there are some data inaccuracies and contradictions in the text. For example, the writer states that saturated fat had the 'smallest contributer in consumption' and later mentions that it was 16% at breakfast and 37% at dinner, missing the overall comparison accurately. Furthermore, the final paragraph contains contradictory statements regarding added sugar, claiming it was both 23% during dinner and had the 'highest at dinner time depicted 23%.' Crucially, the response falls just short of the 150-word minimum at 148 words, which impacts the Task Achievement score as the development is slightly restricted by length. Therefore, it is awarded a band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The report has a basic overall structure with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs dedicated to each nutrient. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'To begin with', 'Secondly', and 'Finally'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes awkward or mechanical. Paragraphing is present, but the logical flow between sentences is occasionally hindered by imprecise language and contradictory statements, such as in the concluding paragraph regarding added sugar consumption. Overall arrangement is coherent enough to follow, earning a solid band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the visual data, using terms such as 'average ratios', 'consumption', and 'nutrients'. However, word choice and collocations are frequently unnatural or inaccurate, such as 'sodium consumption enhanced at dinner', 'saturated fat had smallest contributer in consumption', and 'least eating at breakfast'. There are also awkward phrasings like 'if they taken too much then have harmful effects'. The lexical range is adequate for the task, but frequent inaccuracies in word choice place this in the band 5.0 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting relative clauses and introductory phrases. However, grammatical accuracy is weak throughout. There are noticeable errors such as 'These chart depict' (subject-verb agreement), 'if they taken too much then have' (fragmented and incorrect passive/active structure), and 'had both equal ratio'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent grammatical slips and awkward clause structures cause some difficulty for the reader. This corresponds to a band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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