Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-20
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 illustrates the information of average monthly price of different metals during the period of 2014. The metals are copper, nickel and zinc.
Overall, the nickel is accounted for the highest number of price in January, whereas the three metals price are stable in July to September month.
Initially, the nickel was started at 6% in January and it fell drastically till June around -3% and also in October were -2% but it was slightly increased in July at -1%. In November, it increased significantly and reached at 1% and stable in December. Moreover, the zinc was started at 1%, somehow, it rose at 3% but fall down at same percentage as in January. Meanwhile, it decrease drastically in June at -1% as same in October and slightly increased in June at -0.5%. Although, it was increased rapidly till December at 2%.
Finally, the cooper was started at 2% and it was decreased till June at -0.5%, somehow it increased slightly at 1% in June and there is an up and down in percentage till December and finally stayed at 1.5%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a summary of the graph, but it lacks a clear overview of the main trends. While you identify the starting points, the description of the fluctuations is often confusing and inaccurate. For instance, stating that the three metals were stable between July and September is not supported by the data, as nickel and zinc show clear movement. Furthermore, the description of the trends is overly detailed and repetitive, which obscures the main features. To improve, focus on grouping the metals by their overall trajectory rather than listing every monthly change, and ensure your summary accurately reflects the visual data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes misused, such as 'somehow' and 'although', which do not fit the context of describing statistical data. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow the comparisons between the three metals. To improve, use more precise linking words like 'in contrast', 'subsequently', or 'meanwhile' to show the relationship between the data points. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as grouping the metals by their overall performance rather than jumping between them.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic verbs like 'started', 'increased', and 'decreased'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'the nickel is accounted for the highest number of price' and 'cooper' (spelling error). The phrasing is often unnatural, which hinders the clarity of the report. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained steady', or 'experienced a sharp decline'. Avoid using informal fillers and ensure you use the correct terminology for the items being described.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with articles ('the nickel', 'the zinc'), verb tenses, and sentence structure. Many sentences are awkward or grammatically incomplete, such as 'it fell drastically till June around -3% and also in October were -2%'. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the errors in basic grammar often distract the reader. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions when describing data. Practice constructing more varied sentence patterns to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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