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 pie chart illustrates the average percentages in typical meals of three differen nutrients, such as Sodium, Saturated fat and Added Sugar in the USA.

Overall, it can be seen that at Snacks people eat 42% added sugar and which is the highest figure and at dinner both 43% and 37% sodium and saturated fat eaten by people.

Looking at the chart in more detail, it is evident that at the time of dinner people eat highest number of sodium and saturated fat, which are 43% and 37% respectively, while at the snacks time individuals eat highest number of sugar and the percentage was 23%. According to breakfast people eat 14% sodium and combinedly 16% saturated fat and sugar.

Turning to the remaining data set, we can observe that at lunch hour people eat more sodium and the number was 29% compare to 26% and 19% at saturated fat and sugar. Moreover, at the time of snacks individuals prefer eat more sugar and the value was 42%, whereas they eat only 14% and 21% , sodium and saturated fat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the chart’s subject and report several key figures accurately, including dinner’s highest sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%), and snacks’ highest added sugar (42%). The overview also attempts to highlight the main contrasts. However, one important figure is misreported: you say snacks’ sugar is 23%, when 23% is the dinner figure. Some comparisons are also unclear or incomplete, such as “at dinner both 43% and 37% sodium and saturated fat eaten by people.” The response addresses the task, but the overview and selected details are not consistently precise. Check each figure against its meal category and state the overall patterns clearly before adding supporting comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs of detail. Sequencing phrases such as “Looking at the chart in more detail” and “Turning to the remaining data set” help signal movement between sections. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the overview repeats details later, and the final paragraph returns to snacks after discussing lunch. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “at Snacks … and which is the highest figure” and “According to breakfast.” Organise the details by a consistent principle—for example, compare meals in each paragraph—and use concise links that show how the figures relate, rather than relying on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “average percentages,” “respectively,” “whereas,” and “remaining data set,” so the main information is generally understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise: “highest number” is less suitable for percentages than “highest proportion,” and “at the snacks time” and “individuals prefer eat” do not express the intended meaning naturally. “Combinedly” is also an unsuitable choice for describing two separate figures. There is some repetition of “people eat” and “the value was.” Aim for accurate, varied reporting language such as “accounted for,” “stood at,” and “the proportion of added sugar,” while checking spelling, including “different.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a comparison with “whereas” and a relative clause beginning “which.” Some sentences communicate the figures clearly, such as the lunch comparison, but grammatical errors recur. For example, “and which is the highest figure” is an incomplete, awkwardly attached clause, while “individuals prefer eat” is missing the infinitive marker “to.” The phrase “at dinner both 43% and 37% sodium and saturated fat eaten by people” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “14% sodium” needs a clearer noun phrase, such as “14% of sodium.” Use complete clauses with accurate verb forms and articles, and proofread punctuation and sentence boundaries; this would make your comparisons easier to follow.

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