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 | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully identifies the main features of the charts, reporting the highest and lowest values for sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar across the four meal types. Key data points are correctly cited, such as dinner accounting for the highest sodium (43%) and snacks containing the highest added sugar (42%). However, the overview is somewhat lacking; while there is a brief mention at the beginning about unhealthy nutrients, a clearer synthesized overview highlighting the broader comparison across meals (e.g., dinner being highest in sodium and saturated fat, whereas snacks dominate in added sugar) would elevate the task response. Nevertheless, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, placing this securely in Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, separate body paragraphs for each nutrient, and a brief conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'While' are used to connect ideas, though some referencing and transitions feel slightly mechanical ('The first chart shows...', 'The last one chart'). Paragraphing is generally appropriate, and the overall progression is clear enough to guide the reader through the data. Minor awkwardness in referencing keeps this at a Band 6.0 level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with appropriate terms such as 'proportion', 'consumed', 'percentage', and specific nutrient names. The student attempts some less common vocabulary and lexical phrases, but there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'The much less figure is consumed' instead of 'The lowest percentage is consumed' and 'The last one chart' instead of 'The final chart'. Spelling is generally correct, but overall lexical control is limited to Band 5.5 or 6.0 due to these awkward phrasings.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as '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.' However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, including subject-verb agreement issues ('lunch have 29%', 'The figures... were accounted for') and run-on or confusing syntax in the conclusion ('the data which is taken by USA is considered that...'). These errors occasionally disrupt the flow, though they rarely impede overall communication, fitting the Band 5.5 descriptors well.
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.