Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-19

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 4.5)

The given chart illustrates the average percentage of sodium,saturated fat and added sugar in the meals of an average family in USA.

Sodium refers to the amount of salt in the meals.Sodium is a main ingredient in any food as without it the food will be taste less .Although it is important but,a large amount of it can be dangerous .It can also make the meal saltier and will spoil it.In USA a large amount of sodium is consumed in dinner as it enhances the taste of the dinner .But it can also cause them harm.

Saturated fat is mostly present in animal fat or oils,butter .It can be good if used in a proper way .Excessesive use of it can cause a lot of diseases like diabetes ,cancer etc.In USA a large of saturated fat is consumed during dinner as people love to eat meals made by animal fats and oils it can be dangerous for them.

Added sugar is mostly used in beverages like cold drinks,juices etc.They are very harmful for the health .It can cause sugar and a lot of diseases .In USA ,people prefer to eat a lot of snacks which contain a large of added sugar .It can be very dangerouse for health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response attempts to discuss the data presented in the charts regarding sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in US meals. However, it fails to meet the core requirements of an Academic Task 1 response. Instead of objectively summarizing the main features and making direct comparisons between the nutrients and meal types (e.g., noting that sodium peaks at 43% for dinner while added sugar peaks at 42% for snacks), the student digresses into subjective commentary, defining terms and discussing health consequences in an informal, essay-like manner. Furthermore, several data points are omitted or inaccurately described. To achieve a higher band, the writer must focus strictly on reporting the statistical information shown in the visual data without introducing outside knowledge or personal opinions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5

The organization of the response is somewhat disjointed. While the writer attempts to structure the text by dedicating paragraphs to each nutrient, the lack of an overarching introductory overview and the absence of logical progression between data points hinder overall coherence. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes repetitive. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow within paragraphs is disrupted by off-topic medical explanations rather than clear data comparison. Referencing is basic, and transitional phrases between the different categories of meals and nutrients are largely absent. To improve, the writer should structure the report with a clear introduction containing an overview, followed by well-organized body paragraphs that group data logically.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive. Phrases such as 'a large amount of' and 'very harmful for the health' appear multiple times. There are also noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'taste less' instead of 'tasteless' and 'cause sugar' instead of 'cause high blood sugar' or 'obesity'. The attempt to use less common vocabulary results in awkward phrasing and unnatural collocations. Spelling and word formation errors, such as 'dangerouse', also detract from the quality. For a higher score, the student needs to use a wider and more precise range of vocabulary related to data reporting, proportions, and trends, while avoiding spelling errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The grammatical structure of the response is overly simplistic, relying heavily on basic subject-verb-object patterns. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, such as 'Although it is important but,a large amount of it can be dangerous', these attempts frequently contain punctuation errors, redundant conjunctions ('Although... but'), and awkward phrasing. Grammatical errors are frequent, including missing articles ('in USA'), incorrect comma placement, and spacing issues. Although the meaning is usually understandable despite these errors, the lack of control over complex structures and frequent basic mistakes limit the score for this criterion.

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

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