Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-05

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 and zinc during 2014.

Overall, nickel showed volatile changes, starting from having the highest price in the start to coming on the lowest at the end of year. Copper and zinc prices also fluctuated but by the end zinc price was high among all metals.

In January, nickel prices rose up to 6% while copper and nickel were at 2% and 1% respectively. Nickel went down gradually to 1% in March while copper gradually decreases to 0.5%. Zinc, on the other hand, rose up to 3% in Feb and then steadily decreases till mid of the year.

June was a month of lowest price for all metals. Nickel significantly decreased to -3, which could be the lowest point for any metal. Copper was at -0.5% while zinc at -1%. In the next half of the year prices got stable with only drop in October where nickel was at -2% and zinc -1%. But by the end of the year, zinc came to 2% whereas copper 1.5% and following by nickel at 1%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the graph, including the overall trends and key points like the lowest prices in June. However, there are some inaccuracies in your reporting. For instance, you mention nickel started at the highest price, but the graph shows it starting at 6% while others were lower, which is correct; however, your description of the end-of-year figures is slightly imprecise. You also mention 'copper and nickel were at 2% and 1%' in January, but the graph shows copper at 2% and zinc at 1%. Ensure you double-check your data points against the visual information to avoid misrepresenting the facts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In January', 'on the other hand', and 'In the next half of the year' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by mechanical phrasing, such as 'coming on the lowest at the end of year' and 'following by nickel at 1%'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother to improve the overall progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'volatile', 'fluctuated', and 'significantly'. However, there are some word choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'prices got stable' (should be 'prices stabilized') and 'coming on the lowest' (should be 'reaching the lowest point'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that your collocations are natural. The repetition of 'prices' and 'metals' is acceptable given the topic, but varying your sentence structure would help showcase a wider range of language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'zinc price was high among all metals' (should be 'the highest'), 'steadily decreases' (tense inconsistency; should be 'decreased'), and 'following by nickel' (should be 'followed by'). There are also minor punctuation and article errors throughout. To improve, focus on maintaining consistent verb tenses when describing past data and ensure subject-verb agreement. The errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score.

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

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