Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-04

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 different types of nutrients who used in typical meals and if eaten too much this which may be unhealthy. Overall, the highest amount of both sodium and saturated fat have used in same dinner meal.

It is quite evident from the chart that the average percentages of three nutrients in the meals consumed in the USA. Firstly, sodium is add 14% in both meals snacks and breakfast and the highest amount of sodium 43% has used in dinner. The remaining amount has used in lunch. But the highest amount of saturated fat 37% has also used in dinner and almost same amount of this nutrient has used in snacks and lunch. And the rest 16% has used in breakfast.

Meanwhile, the third chat show the percentage of added sugar. The highest amount of this nutrient 42% has used in snacks and second largest quantity has used in dinner. But 19% used in lunch and the rest amount has used in breakfast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the three nutrient charts and making relevant comparisons, which places it securely at this level. The overview correctly identifies that sodium and saturated fat share the same highest category in dinner, while snacks dominate added sugars. However, the development of ideas is slightly uneven; while figures are cited for most categories, some descriptions are repetitive or under-developed, such as stating 'the remaining amount has used in lunch' without specifying the exact figure for sodium at lunch (29%). Furthermore, the overview is somewhat clunky due to awkward phrasing ('if eaten too much this which may be unhealthy'), but the core requirements of reporting data and selecting key features are met satisfactorily.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response achieves an overall coherent arrangement with a clear attempt to group information logically by nutrient and meal type across separate paragraphs. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, sodium and saturated fats, and finally added sugars. However, cohesion is frequently mechanical and referencing is at times unclear. For instance, transitional phrases like 'Firstly' and 'Meanwhile' are relied upon rigidly, and cohesive devices are somewhat faulty, such as in the sentence 'But the highest amount of saturated fat 37% has also used in dinner and almost same amount of this nutrient has used in snacks and lunch.' Pronoun referencing and substitution lack fluency, resulting in a somewhat disjointed flow between sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, providing basic terms to describe percentages and nutrients, but it is limited and marred by noticeable inaccuracies. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'illustration', 'nutrients', and 'quantities', but struggles with word choice, word form, and collocations. For example, using 'who used' instead of 'used', 'chat' instead of 'chart', and repeatedly using passive structures incorrectly like 'has used' instead of 'are consumed' or 'are found'. These lexical lapses reflect a limited range and occasional errors that reveal strain, though communication of the main data points is generally preserved.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer demonstrates a limited range of structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and passive constructions that are frequently faulty. There are persistent errors in verb forms, voice, and agreement, such as 'sodium is add' instead of 'sodium is added', and missing articles ('in same dinner meal'). Attempts at complex sentences often result in severe structural awkwardness, such as the opening sentence: 'The illustration gives information about different types of nutrients who used in typical meals and if eaten too much this which may be unhealthy.' While some sentences are understandable, frequent grammatical errors in basic patterns cause some difficulty and distraction for the reader.

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