Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-18
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 given line graph compares the average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel, and zinc, in the year 2014.
Overall, it can be seen that nickel and copper were gradually decreasing throughout the year. However, zinc was slightly increasing during the same year.
In the month of January, nickel had a higher value of 6% compared to others, which has gradually decreased to almost 1 percent in March and continued to decline to its least -3% in June, later experienced a slight surge that was finally recorded at 1% by the end of the year.
Moving to copper and zinc, initially value of copper is a bit more compared to zinc, after experiencing different trends, The value of copper began to fall to -0.5% by June. However zinc from February has seen a downfall, The figure shows it reached -1% by June, but outraced copper by the end of the period reaching 2% and recorded as the highest among the other metals.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 general trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the starting and ending points, the description of the fluctuations is imprecise. For example, stating that copper and nickel were 'gradually decreasing' is a generalization that ignores the specific volatility shown in the graph. Furthermore, the comparison between the metals could be more detailed; you identify the highest point at the end of the year but fail to provide enough comparative data for the mid-year points. To reach a higher band, ensure that all key features are supported by accurate data points and that comparisons are more explicit throughout the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moving to', and 'In the month of', which provide a basic structure. However, the flow within paragraphs is occasionally disjointed. For instance, the sentence 'The value of copper began to fall to -0.5% by June. However zinc from February has seen a downfall, The figure shows it reached -1% by June' contains comma splices and lacks smooth transitions between the two subjects. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that sentences are connected more fluidly would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'surge', 'decline', and 'outraced'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'had a higher value of 6%' is slightly awkward; 'reached a peak of 6%' would be more precise. Additionally, the phrase 'seen a downfall' is not the most natural way to describe a downward trend in a graph. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, you need to use more precise, academic terminology to describe statistical changes to achieve a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with punctuation and sentence boundaries. For example, the sentence 'The value of copper began to fall to -0.5% by June. However zinc from February has seen a downfall, The figure shows it reached -1% by June' contains a comma splice and a missing comma after 'However'. Additionally, there are minor errors with articles and verb tense consistency, such as 'initially value of copper'. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points, they occur frequently enough to limit the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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