Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-22
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 pie charts compare the amount of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in daily meals consumed in the USA; if these are consumed in large quantities, it will be unhealthy for people.
Overall, the highest proportion of sodium and saturated fat is consumed at dinner, whilst the amount of added sugar is highest in snacks. However, all nutrients are least consumed at breakfast, making it the healthiest meal of the day.
In dinner, sodium makes up the lion's share at 43%, followed closely by saturated fat standing at 37%, while added sugar contributes the least at 23%. So, dinner is the most unhealthy meal in the USA. Whereas breakfast is the healthiest meal, consisting of only 14% sodium, and 16% each of saturated fat and added sugar.
Snacks are the second most unhealthy meal of the entire day, consisting of a high amount of added sugar (42%), while containing 21% saturated fat and only 14% sodium. Lunch is a moderate and balanced meal of the day, consisting of 29% sodium, 26% saturated fat, and 19% added sugar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing an accurate summary of the main features across the four charts. The response effectively selects and reports key data, such as noting that dinner has the highest proportions of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), while snacks contain the highest percentage of added sugar (42%). Comparisons are made appropriately, and an overview is clearly stated in the second paragraph. The figures cited match the source data accurately. Although the student ventures slightly into subjective interpretation by calling breakfast 'the healthiest meal of the day', this is a natural deduction given the low percentages of all three unhealthy nutrients, and it does not detract from the overall strong task response. The response meets the minimum word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory sentence and an overview, followed by well-structured body paragraphs that detail the data for dinner and breakfast, and then snacks and lunch. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons, using phrases such as 'Overall', 'whilst', 'However', 'In dinner', and 'Whereas'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect or meal category. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to the overall coherence of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common vocabulary items are used successfully, such as 'proportion', 'lion\'s share', 'contributes', and 'moderate and balanced'. Word choices are generally appropriate, though there is a slight stylistic slip with 'the most unhealthy meal' instead of 'the unhealthiest meal'. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, and communication is never impeded by lexical inadequacies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'whilst', 'while', and 'making it'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is strong. Punctuation is accurate, and punctuation marks are handled correctly. Minor slips, such as the awkward prepositional use in 'In dinner' instead of 'At dinner', do not impede communication. The writer demonstrates good control over tense and agreement.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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