Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-08
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 information about the change in price compared with previous month of three metals (Copper, Nickel, Zinc) during 2014. The data is calculated in percentage.
Overall, it is clearly seen that in the starting few months price of Nickel was highest among all three metals but by the end of month price of Zinc was at the peak level.
Looking first at Nickel, it is evident that in the first month this metal was leading in case of the prices but after one month price fell down dramatically from 6 precent to 1 percent. During March and April rate of nickel remained constant, by the month of July drastic decline was again experienced. Later on price remain constant for 3 months and by the end of year price of Nickel exceed to 1%.
In case of Copper and Zinc, many ups and downs was observed. In January, Zinc price was more than Zinc whereas, in eleven months opposite trend was noticed. Price of Copper fell down slightly to the month of June, after that no change was seen in July, August and September and then rose up to 1% by the end. Zin was followed the zig-zag trend all months and by the end maximum price was witnessed.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a general overview and identifies some key trends, such as the initial high for Nickel and the final peak for Zinc. However, the analysis is inconsistent and contains inaccuracies. For instance, stating 'In January, Zinc price was more than Zinc' is confusing and factually unclear. The description of the trends is often vague, using terms like 'many ups and downs' rather than precise data points from the graph. To reach a higher band, you must ensure that all comparisons are accurate and that the main features are clearly supported by the data provided in the graph, rather than relying on general descriptions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'Looking first at Nickel' and 'In case of Copper and Zinc' are used to transition, but the internal flow within paragraphs is occasionally disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the comparison 'Zinc price was more than Zinc', which disrupts the logical progression of the argument. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns and references clearly point to the intended subject will enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. You rely on basic descriptors like 'ups and downs', 'fell down', and 'rose up'. While these communicate the general meaning, they do not demonstrate the range expected at higher bands. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'price of Nickel exceed to 1%' (should be 'exceeded 1%') and 'Zin was followed the zig-zag trend'. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations related to data description, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'reached a peak'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('price remain constant', 'many ups and downs was observed') and incorrect preposition usage ('exceed to 1%'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. To achieve a higher score, you should aim for more error-free sentences and demonstrate better control over tense consistency when describing past data. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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