Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-18
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 illustration gives information about three typical types of the neutrients used in meals that are all unhealthy if eaten too much. Overall, sodium is much used in the breakfast, the saturated fat is also used more in the breakfast but the sugar is mainly added in the snacks.
It is quite evident from the the pie graph that sodium is maily eaten in the dinner, but the amount used in the breakfast and snacks is same, but the sodium is also used in the lunch in greater amount than the breakfast and snacks. Secondly, the saturated fat is also much used in the dinner, but a little amount is used in the breakfast. Saturated fat also uses in the lunch about 26% and in the snacks.
Furthermore, sugar is also an important part of all meals. Sugar is mostly uses in snacks which is 42%, but less used in the breakfast that is just 16%. Sugar also used in the lunchand dinner in little amount.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the visual data by discussing the three nutrients and their consumption across four meal types. An overview is attempted in the first paragraph, identifying key trends like sodium in breakfast and sugar in snacks. However, the student's overview contains inaccuracies regarding the data, stating that sodium and saturated fat are 'much used in the breakfast' when the charts show dinner has the highest percentages (43% and 37% respectively). Furthermore, the body paragraphs contain contradictory statements and factual misreadings of the data, such as claiming the sodium amount in breakfast and snacks is the same (they are 14% and 14%, which is correct, but phrasing is slightly confusing) and stating sugar is used in lunch and dinner in 'little amount' (lunch is 19% and dinner is 23%, which are notable proportions). These flaws in data interpretation place this response firmly at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction and three body paragraphs, showing an attempt at logical organization. However, the progression within paragraphs is disjointed and repetitive. For instance, the second paragraph awkwardly shifts between sodium and saturated fat without clear transitional logic. Cohesive devices are either repetitive or inaccurate, such as the frequent use of 'also' and 'secondly' ('sodium is also used', 'saturated fat is also much used', 'Furthermore, sugar is also...'). Paragraphing is handled mechanically, and referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in the phrase 'Saturated fat also uses in the lunch about 26% and in the snacks,' which leaves the snack percentage for saturated fat unstated. These issues demonstrate characteristics typical of a Band 5 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The lexical range is limited and frequently repetitive. The student relies heavily on basic vocabulary and simple verbs, such as 'used', 'eaten', and 'amount', repeating them numerous times throughout the text. There are also noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'neutrients' (misspelling of nutrients), 'the pie graph' instead of chart, and passive/active voice confusion in 'saturated fat also uses in the lunch'. Less common lexical items are attempted but handled incorrectly. While communication of the general topic is maintained, the frequent lexical inaccuracies and narrow range restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many of the complex attempts contain grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. Examples include passive and active voice confusion ('sodium is maily eaten', 'saturated fat also uses'), missing articles ('in the lunchand dinner'), and awkward prepositional use. There are frequent errors in grammar and word formation that can cause some difficulty for the reader, although meaning is generally retrievable. Punctuation is basic. Because the range of structures is limited and error frequency is noticeable, this performance aligns with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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