Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-29
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 illustration gives information about the four different meals and the percentage of the nutrients that are consumed in the USA, all of which might be unhealthy if eaten too much. Overall, in snacks the percentage added sugar is more than other meals.
It is quite evident from the pie chart that the breakfast cantains sodium only 14 percent, saturated fat 16 percent and the added sugar in breakfast is same in percentage as saturated fat. The lunch contains the 29 percent of the sodium, saturated fat is 26 percent and the added sugar in lunch is the least one about 19 percent.
Meanwhile, the dinner contains sodium about 43 percent, the saturated fat about 37 percent and the added sugar in dinner is almost 23 percent of the whole meal. The snacks contains 14 percent of sodium and saturated fat is 21 percent and the added sugar is higest one in the whole meal of snack about 42 percent
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 response covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the four meals across the three nutrients. An overview is provided at the end of the first paragraph, noting that snacks have the highest percentage of added sugar. Data is accurately reported overall, matching the source transcription well (e.g., dinner sodium at 43%, snacks added sugar at 42%). However, the reporting style is somewhat repetitive and lists data mechanically rather than grouping or synthesizing information effectively. While all key features are present, the depth of comparison could be further developed to reach a higher band. Nevertheless, the requirements of Task 1 are adequately fulfilled, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into three paragraphs, featuring a brief introduction, an overview sentence, and body paragraphs dedicated to different meals. Cohesion is attempted using basic connectors like 'Meanwhile', but referencing and linking feel somewhat mechanical ('the breakfast cantains', 'The lunch contains', 'the dinner contains'). Paragraphing is acceptable, separating the introduction from the body content, though the division of body sentences could be structured more logically. Progression is present, but overall the flow lacks sophistication and feels disjointed due to repetitive sentence openings and basic transitional devices. This aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to nutrition and data reporting such as 'percentage', 'nutrients', 'consumption', and specific nutrient names. However, there are notable spelling errors ('cantains' instead of contains, 'higest' instead of highest) and awkward word choices ('the added sugar in lunch is the least one about 19 percent'). Attempts at less common vocabulary are limited, and phrasing tends to be repetitive. While communication is not impeded by these lexical inadequacies, the errors and restricted range prevent the response from achieving a higher score. It fits the Band 5.5 to 6.0 profile, comfortably rated at 6.0 for covering the task needs.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The illustration gives information about the four different meals and the percentage of the nutrients that are consumed in the USA...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing instances, such as missing articles ('in snacks the percentage added sugar', 'contains the 29 percent of the sodium') and incorrect prepositions or verb forms ('the breakfast cantains sodium only 14 percent'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors are frequent enough to prevent a higher band, they rarely impede the overall comprehension of the data presented. This performance corresponds to a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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