Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-14

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 line graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel ans zinc during 2014.

Overall, nickel experienced the biggest changes, starting very high, dropping deeply into negative percentages and ending slightly positive.While copper and zinc had smaller fluctuations.

Nickel started at approximately 6% in january, before falling dramatically to -3% in june, and ending the period at around 1% in december.Zinc had a very low starting percentage of approximately 1% in january, then rose slightly to reach a peak of 3% in february, before decreasing gradually to -1% in june, and stayed stable from june to september ranging between -1% to 0%, but this increased gradually to just 2% in december.Copper experienced fluctuationg proportion, starting at approximately 2% in january, then dropped gradually to under 0% in may and june, then experienced a relatively stable trend from june to september at approximately 1%, before c

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main contrast accurately: nickel has the largest swings, while copper and zinc fluctuate less, and you report several key turning points, including nickel’s fall to about -3% in June and zinc’s rise to 3% in February. However, the response is incomplete: the copper description ends abruptly at “before c”, so its later movement and year-end figure are not reported. The overview is also brief, and some details are imprecise; for example, zinc’s negative period is described as stable from June to September, although it varies from about -1% to -0.5%. The response is 141 words, below the 150-word minimum. Complete the final comparison and include a fuller summary of the year’s overall pattern.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to descriptions of the individual metals. This helps the reader follow the main comparisons, and sequencing phrases such as “before falling” and “then” make the chronology clear. However, the body is presented as one long paragraph, and the final sentence is cut off at “before c”, leaving the account of copper unfinished and disrupting progression. Some linking is also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “then” and “before”. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overview and detailed comparisons, and ensure each sentence is complete. More varied links between related trends would make the organisation clearer and less list-like.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable set of trend vocabulary for describing a graph, including “fluctuations”, “dropping deeply into negative percentages”, “peak”, and “stable”. These choices communicate the broad movements, but the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or awkward, such as “fluctuationg proportion” and “very low starting percentage”. There are also spelling errors, including “ans” for “and” and “january” for “January”. Aim for precise, natural collocations such as “price changes”, “fell sharply”, and “remained relatively stable”. Check spelling and word forms carefully, and avoid repeating basic sequencing words when describing each series.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentence forms, especially when describing changes over time with clauses beginning “before” and “then”. However, long sentences joined by several clauses are not consistently controlled, and the final sentence is incomplete: “before c”. The overview also contains a sentence fragment: “While copper and zinc had smaller fluctuations.” Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, with missing spaces after full stops in “positive.While” and “december.Zinc”. These issues make parts of the response harder to read. Use a mix of shorter, complete sentences and controlled complex structures, check that every clause has a complete main sentence, and proofread sentence boundaries and punctuation.

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