Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-26

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 given piecharts illustrate the amount of sodium, saturated fat and sugar consumed in U.S in four different meals which may be not good for health if eaten in higher quantities.

Overall, it can be seen that maximum amount of sodium and saturated fats in the dinner and minimum in the breakfast , whereas lunch contain higher amount of sugar.

Looking at the piecharts in more details, first of all dinner contains 43% sodium and 29% sugar in lunch, whereas snacks have 14% sodium and breakfast also contain same proportion of sugar as snacks. Furthermore, saturated fat is 37% in dinner and only 16% in breakfast. In addition, snacks contain 21% saturated fat and 5% more in lunch.

Moreover, there is 42% sugar in the snacks which are very unhealthy and approximately one-fifth sugar in the lunch. Furthermore, breakfast contain 3% less sugar than lunch. In addtion, dinner contain 23% sugar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main pattern that dinner has the highest shares of sodium and saturated fat, and you include several relevant figures, such as 43% sodium at dinner and 37% saturated fat there. However, the overview is partly inaccurate: lunch does not contain the highest share of sugar; snacks lead at 42%, while dinner has 23%. The response also misreports the comparison in the first detail paragraph, saying “29% sugar in lunch” where 29% is the sodium figure. Although you later give the correct sugar figures, these inconsistencies weaken the accuracy and clarity of the summary. To improve, make the overview reflect the strongest contrasts and check each figure against the correct nutrient and meal before reporting it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction to an overview and then to details, so the reader can identify the intended sections. However, progression within the detail paragraphs is not consistently clear. The first paragraph combines sodium, sugar and saturated fat, then the next returns to sugar, creating repetition rather than a well-organised comparison. Linking phrases such as “Furthermore,” “In addition,” and “Moreover” are used frequently but do not always show a meaningful relationship between the facts. Grouping the information by nutrient or by the most notable meal comparisons would make the sequence easier to follow. Clearer references and fewer repeated transitions would also help the report feel more connected.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant topic vocabulary, including “sodium,” “saturated fat,” “proportion,” and “quantities,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “maximum amount … in the dinner,” “higher amount of sugar,” and “which are very unhealthy.” The repeated use of “contain” and “amount” also makes the description less precise. Spelling slips such as “piecharts” and “addtion” reduce accuracy, while “sugar” should be consistently identified as “added sugar” to match the chart. Aim for concise chart language such as “accounted for,” “share,” and “highest proportion,” and use meal labels and nutrient names precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a contrast with “whereas” and additions introduced by “Furthermore” and “In addition.” However, errors in agreement, articles and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “lunch contain” and “breakfast contain” need singular verb agreement, while “maximum amount … in the dinner” has an incomplete and awkward grammatical structure. The opening phrase “which may be not good for health” also uses an incorrect word order. Some sentences are understandable, but these recurring errors make the report less controlled. Practise accurate present-simple forms and article use, and build comparisons with complete patterns such as “Dinner accounts for…, while breakfast accounts for…”.

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

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