Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-17

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 chart depicts the average proportions of different types of nutrients such as sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in typical meals like breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner consumed in the USA and it become unhealthy if get consumed too much.

Overall, sodium consumption in dinner was higher than other nutrients in a meals whereas there was least amount of added sugar was consumed during dinner in the USA. On an average of 15% of every nutrients was consumed in breakfast such as 14% of sodium, 16% of saturated fat and 16% of added sugar. There was 29% of sodium is consumed compared to 26% of saturated fat and 19% of added sugar during lunch. The highest amount of added sugar was consumed in snacks which was 42% whereas during that meals sodium and saturated fat were 14% and 21% respectively. The consumption of sodium was equal during snacks and breakfast.

The more amount of unhealthy nutrients is consumed during dinner whereas least amount on a breakfast.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the chart’s subject and report several relevant figures, including the dinner peak for sodium (43%) and the snack peak for added sugar (42%). You also compare all three nutrients across meals, so the response addresses the main task. However, the overview is not fully accurate: dinner has the highest sodium and saturated fat, but added sugar is highest in snacks, not lowest in dinner. The closing claim that dinner has the most unhealthy nutrients and breakfast the least is too broad, since snacks lead for added sugar and breakfast is not lowest for every nutrient. A clearer overview of these contrasting peaks, supported by the figures, would make the key features more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph containing an overview and comparisons, and a brief concluding statement. The figures are generally grouped by meal, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the overview and detailed reporting are mixed together, and the final sentence repeats a general claim rather than advancing the comparison. Linking is also limited, with repeated patterns such as “whereas” and “during,” while some references—such as “that meals”—are unclear. Organise the response into a distinct overview followed by logically grouped details, and use clearer links to show contrasts between meals and nutrients.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “average proportions,” “consumption,” and “highest amount,” and the nutrient names are generally clear. However, several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, such as “amount of unhealthy nutrients” and “was consumed,” which make the description less natural. “On an average of 15% of every nutrients” is also an awkward way to summarise the breakfast figures. Aim for more precise terms for chart data and vary the language used to describe proportions and peaks. These limitations reduce flexibility, although the intended comparisons remain understandable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons with “whereas” and a relative clause in the opening. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “it become unhealthy if get consumed too much” lacks a clear subject and has incorrect verb forms; “There was 29% of sodium is consumed” combines incompatible structures; and “least amount of added sugar was consumed” needs an article. The final sentence, “The more amount … whereas least amount on a breakfast,” is also incomplete and difficult to interpret. Use simpler, complete comparison structures accurately before adding more complex forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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