Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-12
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 5.5)
The line graph illustrate the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.
There are the three metals such as the copper, nickel and zinc. Nickel started with the highest percentage but ended at the lowest. Zinc stared with the lowest percentage but end with the most price.
The nickel starts with 6% in the January but drastically decrease till the June, after that gradually rose up till 1% in the December. The copper starts with the medium 2% and step by step getting decline till the June and reach in 1.5% by the end of year. Lastly, the zinc started with 1% and drastically increase in a one month however it continue in decrease and ended up being highest in the December.
In the months of July, August and September all three metal remain at same price. There is not much fluctuation in copper, and there is the cross going percentage between the zinc and nickel. The most decrease in the percentage is in June and October.
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 covers the main features of the graph, identifying the trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and contains inaccuracies. For instance, stating that zinc 'ended up being highest' is factually incorrect based on the graph, which shows nickel ending at a higher point than zinc. Additionally, the description of the trends is occasionally confusing, such as the claim that all three metals remained at the same price between July and September, which is not supported by the visual data. To reach a higher band, you must ensure that your data reporting is precise and that you clearly distinguish between the overall trends and specific data points.
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 often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'there is the cross going percentage' are unclear and impede the flow of information. While there is a logical attempt to group the metals, the transitions between sentences are sometimes abrupt. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast', 'meanwhile') and ensure that your referencing (using pronouns or synonyms to refer back to previously mentioned items) is clear and accurate.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher score. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'getting decline' instead of 'declining' and 'most price' instead of 'highest price'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, you should focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', or 'reached a peak'. Additionally, pay closer attention to word forms to ensure you are using the correct part of speech in your sentences.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally cause confusion. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The line graph illustrate') and incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'Zinc stared' instead of 'started'). There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases, such as 'in the January' or 'reach in 1.5%'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from being considered fluent. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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