Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The pie-chart illustate the average percentages of sodium,saturated fats and added sugars in typical meals consumed in the USA.
Overall, in dinner both the saturated fat and sodium are highest than other meals during a day. Furthermore added sugar is highest in snacks than other meals during a day.
A detailed analysis of chart shows that 42% of total sugar consumed in a day came from snacks. Followed by dinner, accounting for 23% of total added sugar and remaning is covered by lunch and breakfast each make up about 19% and 16% respectively.
On the other hand dinner makes up for the highest amount of both sodium and saturated fat in a day, 43% for sodium and 37% for saturated fat and both breakfast and snack have an simmilar share for sodium each hold 14% and reaming is coverd by lunch
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student successfully identifies the overall trends and makes relevant comparisons across the three pie charts regarding nutrient consumption in the USA. The main features are reported, noting that dinner accounts for the highest percentages of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks lead in added sugar. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 141 words, which incurs a penalty. Additionally, some data points are missed or generalized, such as the exact breakdown for lunch and breakfast in the final paragraph. To improve, the student must ensure all key data features are fully detailed and meet the word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs dedicated to specific nutrients. There is a logical progression of ideas, moving from general trends to detailed data points. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Furthermore' and 'On the other hand', although referencing and transitions can occasionally feel mechanical, as seen with 'A detailed analysis of chart shows'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data. Overall, the essay maintains a clear structure despite minor cohesive flaws.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms related to data reporting such as 'percentages', 'consumed', 'accounting for', and 'respectively'. However, there are notable spelling and word-choice errors, including 'illustate' instead of 'illustrates', 'remaning' instead of 'remaining', 'simmilar' instead of 'similar', and awkward phrasing like 'is highest than other meals'. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision. To achieve a higher band, the student needs to eliminate basic spelling mistakes and incorporate a wider range of precise, academic vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory dependent clauses ('Followed by dinner, accounting for...'). However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several punctuation and agreement errors, such as missing articles ('in dinner', 'of chart'), incorrect prepositions ('highest in snacks than'), and run-on structures without proper punctuation control. While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the writer from achieving a higher band score. Greater attention to sentence boundaries and verb forms is needed.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.