Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014)

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The rendered line graph depicts the information about the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during the given time period.

Overall, the highest percentage of change in Nickel in January, whereas it reached in lowest point in December. Besides, zinc showed the reverse trend.

In detail, 2% change in price of copper in first month. After that, price was declined and reached below 1% in April. In June, copper price had no change in this month. Again price change reached the same point which was 1%. However, 1% change in price of Zinc in January and 3% change of price in second month. In March to June, it decreased gradually and touch it -1%. In last of month, price started to went up and finally reached 2%.

In case of Nickel, the maximum percentage of change in this metal which was 6% and next month it reached 4%. In third to sixth month, price declined sharply and touch it -3%. In November to December, price remain stabled in 1%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify several important features, including nickel’s January peak at 6%, its fall to around −3% in June, and zinc’s recovery to 2% by December. You also report copper’s opening value and its later movement around 1%. However, the overview is partly inaccurate: nickel’s lowest point is in June, not December, and zinc does not show a reverse trend throughout the year; it also falls below zero in June and reaches its low in October. Some details are unclear or imprecise, such as saying copper had “no change” in June when the graph shows about −0.5%. To strengthen the response, give a more accurate overview and compare the metals’ shared mid-year decline and year-end recovery.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and detail paragraphs that move from copper and zinc to nickel. This makes the main subject and broad sequence easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “After that,” “However,” and “In case of Nickel” help signal transitions, although some connections are mechanical or do not clearly express the relationship between the data. For example, “Besides, zinc showed the reverse trend” is difficult to connect to the preceding overview, especially because the claim is not fully supported by the graph. Grouping the metals’ shared mid-year falls and subsequent recoveries would create clearer comparisons and a more consistent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage of change,” “declined sharply,” “maximum,” and “reached,” so the reader can generally understand the trends being described. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, particularly with repeated uses of “price,” “change,” and “reached,” and several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise. Phrases such as “highest percentage of change in Nickel” and “price started to went up” do not express the intended meaning naturally; “the largest monthly increase” and “began to rise” would be clearer. “Price remain stabled” also shows inaccurate word form and collocation. Aim for precise trend language and vary verbs such as rise, fall, recover, and fluctuate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, some errors in verb forms, sentence construction, and articles make the writing less controlled. For example, “the highest percentage of change in Nickel in January” is missing a main verb, while “price was declined” uses an incorrect passive form. In “price started to went up,” the verb after “to” should be in its base form; “price remain stabled” also has an agreement error. Several fragments, including “2% change in price of copper in first month,” need a subject and verb. Practise complete comparative sentences and check tense, agreement, and article use while editing.

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