Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-02
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 charts illustrate the proportion percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, Sodium, Saturated fat, Added sugar consumed in the United States.
Overall, Dinner accounted highest percentage in typical meals in sodium and saturated fat, while, there is a least low value contained in added sugar. However, Lunch and snacks consumed second and third highest in the chart but snacks rose steadily in added sugar and the Breakfast assumed lowest in all three categories respectively.
After analysing the point, it can be seen that Dinner earned 43% nutrients in sodium and 37% in saturated fat. Therefore, Lunch was the second category contained 29% in the first chart and 26% in the sodium respectively. Snacks start with lower amount in 1st category 14% and than increased dramatically to 21% in saturated fat.
In contrast, in added sugar the dinner categories decrease significantly to 23% and the lunch almot same minimize only 2 to 3 percents. Consequently, the snacks rose up to 42%. The Breakfast contains least amount in all groups starts with 14% and end in 16%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three charts regarding sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in US meals. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, though it is somewhat confused and difficult to follow. While key data points are mentioned, such as dinner accounting for 43% of sodium and snacks reaching 42% in added sugar, some of the descriptions are underdeveloped or unclearly explained, such as the vague references to 'the first chart' and 'the sodium respectively'. Overall, the selection of information is relevant, but the lack of clear, fully extended comparisons places this performance at the present level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
There is a coherent overall arrangement to the response, with clear attempts at paragraphing and sequencing information across the introduction, overview, and body details. However, cohesion is often faulty or mechanical. Words like 'Therefore', 'Consequently', and 'In contrast' are used inaccurately to link ideas that do not logically follow from one another. Referencing and progression are sometimes unclear, as seen in confusing transitions between categories. To reach the next level, the writer needs to ensure that cohesive devices are used more naturally and that the logical flow between sentences and paragraphs is smoother.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'percentages', 'nutrients', 'dramatically', and 'significantly'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'accounted highest percentage', 'least low value', and 'the breakfast assumed lowest', along with a spelling slip ('almot'). While these errors do not severely impede communication, they reflect an inconsistent control of less common lexical items. Developing greater precision and natural collocation will help elevate the lexical score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt to vary sentence structure. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with prepositional usage, verb forms, and articles (e.g., 'snacks start with lower amount', 'than increased', 'the dinner categories decrease'). Punctuation and subject-verb agreement also show occasional lapses. These errors require some effort from the reader to interpret the exact meaning. To improve, the writer needs to exercise greater control over basic grammatical structures and ensure better accuracy in tense consistency and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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