Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-25
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 6.0)
The pie charts compare the average percentages of three different nutrients in four types of meals in the USA that are considered unhealthy if consumed in excessive amounts.
Overall, Sodium and Saturated fats are account for the highest ratio in dinner, whereas snacks contain the largest amount of added sugar. In contrast, sodium in snacks and breakfast showed the the lowest proportion.
Looking at sodium and saturated fats in detail, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium and saturated fats at 43% and 37% respectively, lunch also contains a substantial percentage making 29% of sodium and 26% of saturated fats. In contrast, breakfast and snacks contributed the least, each accounting for 14% in sodium and 21% saturated fat in snacks and 16% in breakfast.
Turning to added sugar, a completely different pattern is visible. Snacks contains 42% of added sugar, whereas dinner is accounted for only 23%. Meanwhile, lunch contributed 19% of it. The lowest percentage of added sugar was seen in breakfast at 16% only.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three nutrients across the four meal types. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting key extremes such as dinner dominating sodium and saturated fats while snacks lead in added sugar. The response makes relevant comparisons, such as contrasting the patterns of sodium and saturated fats with those of added sugar. Data points from the chart are cited accurately overall, including specific figures like 43% for dinner sodium and 42% for snack added sugar. Minor phrasing issues, such as stating 'breakfast and snacks contributed the least, each accounting for 14% in sodium and 21% saturated fat in snacks', slightly confuse the exact attribution, but the core data is still well communicated. This performance comfortably meets the criteria for Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically by introducing the charts, giving an overview, detailing sodium and saturated fats, and finally discussing added sugar. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different categories of information. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In contrast', 'Looking at sodium and saturated fats in detail', and 'Turning to added sugar'. However, some minor referencing or cohesion slips occur, such as awkward transitions in data listing and slight mechanical phrasing. Despite these minor limitations, the essay is coherent overall and demonstrates a logical flow, aligning well with the Band 7.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'percentages', 'nutrient', 'excessive amounts', 'proportion', and 'substantial percentage'. There are, however, some noticeable lexical and collocation errors, such as 'are account for the highest ratio' instead of 'account for the highest proportion' and 'dinner is accounted for only 23%' instead of 'accounts for only 23%'. Despite these errors, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication. The student attempts less common lexical items with moderate success, placing this response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating introductory clauses and relative structures effectively. Good examples of error-free sentences include 'The pie charts compare the average percentages of three different nutrients...' and 'Turning to added sugar, a completely different pattern is visible.' However, several grammatical errors persist, such as 'Sodium and Saturated fats are account for' (passive/active voice confusion) and 'showed the the lowest proportion' (article duplication), alongside minor punctuation slips. These errors do not impede communication, but their frequency prevents the grammar score from reaching the next band. A mix of accurate complex structures and noticeable slips makes Band 6.0 the most appropriate score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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