Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-26

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 average monthly to month percentage change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc during 2014.

overall, nickel experienced the greatest fluctuations, with sharp rises at the beginning of the year and the lowest percentage in the middle month. By contrast, Zinc the lowest percentage in the beginning, ending of the year growth significantly.

At the first start of the year, nickel recorded the highest monthly increase of approximately 6%. in January, before falling 5%. in February, then decline dramatically at 1%. in March, its price dropped to about -3%. The lowest figure on the chart. It recovered slightly July to November, then again reached in 1%. in November and 1%. in December.

on the other hand, copper at beginning of

2%. in January, then it’s dramatically

decreased January to May. from 2% to -0.5%.

approximately. In July to September follow

similar Pattern. Just recovered to around 1%.

slipped marginally in October and finished the

year at approximately 1-1.5%.

Zinc began with a 2%. increase in January

rose to 3%. in February. and then gradually

to about 1%. in May, then gradually

declined. reased to -1%. Remined just below.

until October and finally strongly recovered

end of the month year at. around 2%.

in December, the highest increase among the

three metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main trends and provided relevant comparisons between the three metals. You covered the key features, such as the volatility of nickel and the end-of-year recovery of zinc. However, the report is somewhat hindered by inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, you mention nickel dropped to -3% in March, but the description of the trends is occasionally confusing due to the fragmented sentence structure. To reach a higher band, ensure that your data points are clearly linked to the specific timeframes and that you avoid over-generalising or misinterpreting the graph's visual data. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated into the structure.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or missing, leading to a choppy flow. Phrases like 'At the first start of the year' and 'on the other hand' are used, but the internal structure of the paragraphs is weak. Many sentences are fragmented or lack logical connectors, making the progression of ideas feel disjointed. Improving the use of transition words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next would significantly improve the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe trends, such as 'fluctuations', 'sharp rises', 'dramatically', and 'recovered'. However, there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'monthly to month percentage' instead of 'month-to-month' and 'middle month' instead of 'mid-year'. Additionally, there are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'at the beginning of the year growth significantly'. While the vocabulary is adequate to convey the basic meaning, the lack of precision and the repetitive nature of some descriptions limit the score.

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 readability. Issues include incorrect verb tenses, missing articles, and fragmented sentences (e.g., 'copper at beginning of 2%. in January, then it’s dramatically decreased'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with periods placed incorrectly within phrases, such as '5%. in February'. These errors are frequent and distract the reader. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and proofread carefully to eliminate punctuation errors.

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