Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The visual illustrates the average consumption of three different types of nutrients; sodium, saturated fat and added sugars, which may be unhealthy if taken excessively, in typical meals across the USA.

Overall, the sodium and saturated fats are widely eaten at dinner, followed by lunch. However, a significant proportion of added sugars come from snacks. Conversely, breakfast contains the least rate of all three nutrients.

Regarding sodium, a significant percentage is consumed at the dinner, 43%. Lunch contains 29% of sodium, whereas an equal percentage is eaten at both breakfast and snacks, 14% respectively.

37% of saturated fats are typically present in the meal taken for dinner, while 26% in lunch. Snacks contain 21% of saturated fats. However, only 16% is consumed for breakfast making it the least healthy.

In contrast, added sugars are consumed unevely by the citizen of the USA. 42% of added sugars are obtained from snacks, whereas only 23% by dinner. Breakfast, once again stays the unhealthiest meal offering only 16% of sugars, while 19% come from lunch.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by selecting, reporting, and comparing the main features of the three charts. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overarching trends that dinner accounts for the highest proportions of sodium and saturated fats, whereas snacks dominate added sugar consumption, and breakfast consistently contains the lowest proportions. The body paragraphs accurately integrate specific data points from the visual, such as quoting 43% for sodium at dinner and 42% for added sugars from snacks. Data is appropriately used to support the overview without significant misinterpretation or omission.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from an introduction to an overview, followed by detailed body paragraphs grouped by nutrient type. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Regarding', 'In contrast', and 'while' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each nutrient or category given logical separation. However, referencing and cohesive links are occasionally slightly mechanical, which keeps the score at a solid level rather than higher.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, using terms such as 'consumption', 'proportion', 'nutrient', and 'significantly' alongside data verbs and adjectives. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies or awkward phrasing, such as 'least rate' instead of 'lowest proportion' and 'unevely' (a typo for unevenly), but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted with adequate control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

A good mix of simple and complex sentence structures is used throughout the response, including participial phrases ('making it the least healthy') and subordinate clauses ('whereas an equal percentage is eaten...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is generally good, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor errors, such as missing articles or slightly awkward prepositional usage ('at the dinner', 'consumed by the citizen'), do not interfere with understanding.

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

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