Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-21
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 5.5)
The pie chart illustrates the average proportion of three different kinds of nutrients in typical meals, which is considered as unhealthy if eaten too much. These three nutrients are sodium, saturated fats and added sugar. The data is taken from the USA.
The first chart shows the amount of Sodium. The highest range of sodium taken at dinner around about 43% and lowest range of sodium were consumed in snack and breakfast which is about 14%. On the other hand, lunch have 29%. Moreover, the second chart presents the quantity of saturated fat. The much less figure is consumed at breakfast 16% and the majority is at dinner 37%. The figures of lunch and snack were accounted for 26% and 21%.
The last one chart represents the percentage of added sugar. Snack contains the biggest amount of added sugar which is approximately 42% and smallest range was consumed at breakfast roughly 16%. While lunch includes 19% and dinner contains 23%.
In conclusion, the data which is taken by USA is considered that the least amount of all nutrients is almost 14% if it consumed too much then it may be unhealthy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The candidate successfully covers all parts of the visual data by reporting the average percentages of sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars across the four meal categories (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). Key features are identified, such as dinner accounting for the highest sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks dominate added sugar consumption (42%). Comparisons are made between meals and nutrients, and an appropriate overview is provided in the introduction. However, some minor inaccuracies in expression occur, such as referring to 'the first chart', 'second chart', and 'last one chart' when the source material is presented as a single integrated visual layout containing multiple data sets. Nevertheless, the core information is accurately extracted and reported, earning a Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, following a logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs for the different data points, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'While'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'The last one chart represents' and 'In conclusion, the data which is taken by USA is considered that...'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the introduction, body details, and conclusion, but the overall flow between sentences can feel disjointed due to repetitive sentence starters. This places the response firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The candidate demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully utilizing terms such as 'proportion', 'nutrient', 'consumed', and 'percentage'. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, but these are accompanied by lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'The highest range of sodium taken at dinner around about 43%', 'The much less figure is consumed at breakfast', and 'the data which is taken by USA'. Word formation and collocation errors are noticeable, though they do not impede overall communication. Spelling is generally accurate throughout the text. These features align with the Band 6.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which is considered as unhealthy if eaten too much'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and preposition usage, such as 'lunch have 29%', 'snack and breakfast which is about 14%', 'The figures of lunch and snack were accounted for', and 'if it consumed too much'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but minor structural awkwardness persists in several sentences. Because errors are frequent in complex structures and cause some minor difficulty for the reader, a Band 5.5 is appropriate.
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.