Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-19
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 LINE GRAPH ILLUSTATES THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVERAGE MONTHLY CHANGES IN PRICES OF THREE DIFFERENT METAL IN 2014 AND UNIT MEASURED IN PERCENTAGE
IT IS EVIDENT FROM THE LINE GRAPH THAT INITIALLY,IN COPPER IN JANUARY MONTH COPPER PRICE AT 2 PERCENT THEN IN FERBUARY IT DELICNED AT 1 PERCENT THEN IT FOLLOWED DOWNWARD TREND UP TO JUNE MONTH AND REACHED AT -1 PERCENT THEN IT FOLOW ERRATIC PATTERN UP TO DECEMBER MONTH AND HIT AT 2 PERCENT
FURTHERMORE, IN NICKLE IN 2014, IN JANUARY MONTH IT START FROM 6 PERCENT THEN AFTER THIS IT JUST FOLLOWED ZIG ZAG PATTERN TILL DECEMBER MONTH AND REACHED NEARLY 1 PERCENT MOREOVER, IN ZINC IT START FROM 1 PERCENT AT JANUARY MONTH AND SUDDENLY HICKED AT 3 PERCENT IN FERBUARY MONTH THEN IT FOLLOWED DOWNWARD TREND UP TO JUNE MONTH THEN IT SLIGHTLY INCLINED UP TO DECEMBER MONTH AND REACHED AT 2.5 PERCENT
HENCE, IT IS LUCID FROM THE OVERALL ANALYSIS THAT MAXIMUM PRICE OF METAL CHANGE IN MONTH WAS NICKEL
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the starting points and general directions, the comparisons between the metals are limited. For example, you could have highlighted that nickel experienced the most significant volatility or compared the final values more effectively. The overview is present but lacks depth, as it merely states that nickel had the maximum change without synthesizing the broader trends of the three metals. To improve, ensure you group information logically to facilitate clearer comparisons rather than listing data for each metal in isolation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'then' and 'in January month'. The transition between ideas is often abrupt, and the lack of varied linking words makes the flow feel stilted. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the overall progression of ideas could be smoother. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of cohesive devices like 'consequently', 'in contrast', or 'meanwhile' to connect sentences and ideas more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'followed', 'reached', and 'pattern'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'ILLUSTATES', 'FERBUARY', 'NICKLE', and 'HICKED', which distract the reader. The phrasing is often unnatural, such as 'in January month' or 'hit at 2 percent'. To improve, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'declined steadily', or 'remained stable'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs will also help you achieve a more professional and academic tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a high frequency of grammatical errors, including missing articles ('in copper'), incorrect preposition usage, and subject-verb agreement issues ('it start from'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing spaces after commas. These errors frequently impede the flow of the text. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and practicing the use of complex structures like relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to add variety to your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.