Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-12

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 4.5)

The given graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014, these are copper, nickel and zinc.

Overall, the graph presents monthly average in prices of three metals starting from january and end in december, whereas the average of nickle was more than the others remaining metals and zinc had less average as compare to remaing two metals.

Moreover,starting from january the prices of given metals are not much higher in the starting of month. However, with the passage of time there was slightly change in the prices of these metals such as copper, nickel and zinc.

Furthermore, nickel had more average as contrast with copper and zinc, there was a recording change in the prices compared with previous month, copper and zinc had lower average in monthly prices of copper, nickel and zinc. There was a slightly change in the prices of these given metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the chart’s subject and mention all three metals, but the response does not adequately summarise the main features or make accurate, useful comparisons. The claim that nickel’s average was higher than the other metals is not a clear description of the monthly changes: nickel began highest, fell sharply to around -3% in June, then recovered, while copper and zinc also changed direction. The statement that zinc had the “less average” is unsupported and unclear. Include an overview of these contrasting patterns and select key figures to illustrate them. The response is also 11 words below the 150-word minimum; 12 words copied from the task prompt were not counted.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, beginning with an introduction and then moving to general comments about the graph. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Moreover,” and “Furthermore” show an attempt to organise ideas. However, the paragraphs do not build a clear progression from an overview to specific comparisons, and several sentences repeat the same point about average prices changing. The relationship between ideas is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly in the final sentence, which repeats that prices changed without adding information. Organise the report into a concise overview followed by paragraphs comparing the metals’ movements, and use linking words only where they clarify the relationship between points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “average monthly change,” “prices,” and “compared with previous month,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear, such as “nickle was more than the others remaining metals,” “zinc had less average,” and “there was a recording change.” Repetition of “average,” “prices,” and “metals” also limits precision. Use vocabulary that describes movement and comparison directly, such as “rose,” “fell,” “fluctuated,” “recovered,” and “remained relatively stable.” Check spelling as well: “nickle” should be “nickel,” and “january” should be “January.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “whereas” and sentences beginning with “However” and “Furthermore.” Nevertheless, these structures are often faulty or incomplete, and the limited range makes relationships between ideas hard to interpret. For example, the opening sentence joins two independent clauses with only a comma, while “starting from january and end in december” has inconsistent verb forms. There are also errors in articles and sentence construction, as in “there was slightly change” and “as compare to.” Use shorter, complete sentences first, then add controlled complex structures. Check verb agreement and forms, articles, and punctuation when joining clauses.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.