Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The data depicts that change in prices of three different metals are copper, nickel, and zinc and how their prices change and compared with previous months in 2014.

Overall, The striking point was sharply declined in the nickel, while copper fluctuate over the year. However, zinc reach on there peak prices point one time.

The nickel trend witnessed the significant declined and reach to the bottom out in June exactly -3% after that it uplift and in November and December remained stable of 1%. Copper in January started from 2% over the period it palpitated and remained under 2%.

Secondly, zinc starts there prices growth in 1% whereas in Second month it reached there highest trend 3% after that it fell from top to bottom out and fluctuated steadily for four months and again rose in October and reached approximately 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the graph, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You mention the 'sharp decline' in nickel and the 'peak' for zinc, but the comparisons between the metals are underdeveloped. The overview is present but lacks sufficient detail to fully satisfy the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the trends and include more precise data points to support your observations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as the use of 'Secondly' to introduce the third paragraph, which does not logically follow the previous section. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'in contrast', 'subsequently', 'meanwhile') to connect your ideas more naturally and improve the overall logical progression of your report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is limited and contains several errors in word choice and collocation. For example, you use 'palpitated' to describe price movement, which is incorrect in this context; 'fluctuated' would be appropriate. Similarly, 'reach on there peak prices point' is awkward and grammatically incorrect. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle to use precise terminology for describing trends. To improve, practice using topic-specific vocabulary for data analysis, such as 'experienced a downward trend', 'reached a plateau', or 'remained relatively stable'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('zinc starts there prices growth'), incorrect verb forms ('sharply declined' instead of 'a sharp decline'), and misuse of pronouns ('there' instead of 'their'). The sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring correct tense usage and subject-verb agreement. Proofreading for common errors like 'there/their' and ensuring consistent verb forms will significantly enhance your writing.

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