Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-17

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 charts illustrate the average percentages of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar contained in typical meals consumed in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks contain the highest percentage of added sugar. Breakfast has the lowest or joint-lowest proportions for most nutrients.

In terms of sodium, dinner has 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, with dinner making up 37% and lunch 26%. Snacks represent 21%, while breakfast has the lowest figure, at 16%.

The distribution of added sugar is different. Snacks account for the largest share, at 42%, which is almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%. Lunch represents 19%, while breakfast accounts for 16%, making it the smallest proportion. Therefore, snacks are particularly significant in terms of added sugar compared with the other nutrients.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear and accurate summary of the visual data. The overview effectively captures the main trends, noting that dinner dominates sodium and saturated fat while snacks are highest in added sugar. Specific figures from the charts are used accurately to support the descriptions, such as citing dinner at 43% for sodium and snacks at 42% for added sugar. Data is selected and compared effectively without any noticeable inaccuracies or misinterpretations of the source material. The response meets all the requirements of a Band 8 performance for Task Achievement by presenting a well-developed overview and detailed body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves into a well-crafted overview paragraph, and then separates the detailed body paragraphs logically by nutrient type. Cohesive devices are used appropriately and flexibly throughout the text, as seen in transitions like 'In terms of', 'A similar pattern can be seen', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas, ensuring that the information flows smoothly and is very easy for the reader to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common vocabulary and functional phrases such as 'accounts for', 'largest proportion', 'distribution', and 'particularly significant' are used naturally and accurately. Word choices are precise, and collocations are handled well without impeding communication. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare, it fully meets the requirements for a Band 7 by allowing for flexibility and precision in reporting data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with frequent error-free sentences. Structures like relative clauses and comparative constructions are handled with strong control, such as in 'which is almost twice the figure for dinner, at 23%.' Grammar and punctuation are accurate throughout the text, with no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control demonstrated across a variety of sentence structures fully supports a Band 7.5 score, rounded to 8.0 for a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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

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