Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-16

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 above line graph represents the data of three metals and how their prices changed throughout the year.

As according to the graph the copper increased in first month after that it slightly decreased till October after it, the price of copper increased. the nickel price dropped fastly from 6 percentage to 1 percentage in single month, after little stability it again continuously fall and hit its low rate of -3 percentage. after huge fall its price increase 1 percent than for three months it was stable on the -1 percent. in last three months the 3 percent price of nickel increased.

The zinc price increased 1 percent in 1st month after it continuously fall till the month of june. after huge fall prices of zinc became stable for three moths from june to august. From october month the price of zinc increased 4 percent from -1 to 2 percent.

As compare to copper, both nickle and zinc prices fallen and in last all three metals show some progress and the price rate somehow become stable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the overall trends or significant differences between the metals. The description of the data is sometimes imprecise, such as saying 'after huge fall' without specifying the timeframe or the extent of the change. While the main features are identified, the lack of a cohesive overview and the reliance on listing data points rather than synthesizing the information prevents a higher score. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the most significant trends in the introduction or as a separate paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and repetitive, with phrases like 'after it' and 'after that' appearing frequently. There is a lack of variety in linking words, which makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. Furthermore, the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the comparison between the metals is vague. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'dropped fastly' (should be 'dropped rapidly') and 'price rate' (which is redundant). The repetition of basic verbs like 'increased' and 'fall' limits the sophistication of the writing. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate a wider range of synonyms and more precise collocations related to data description, such as 'fluctuated,' 'remained stable,' or 'experienced a sharp decline.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'prices of zinc became stable'), missing articles, and punctuation errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters. The use of 'As according to' is grammatically incorrect. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will help improve the accuracy of your writing.

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