Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-29

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 line graph compares the percentage differences in the price of three different metals- copper, nickel, and zinc throughout the year 2014.

Overall, it is evident from the graph that at the beginning of the year, the price of Nickel was the highest and zick accounted for the least. However, by the month of December, the price of nickel experienced a stark decline and became the lowest whereas the price of zinc was the highest. Moreover, the price of copper fluctuated considerably.

Initially, nickel led the market at 6%, followed by Copper at 2%. The price of nickel then fell dramatically to 1% in March, where it remained stable for a month. In the following month, after a slight dip in the price at 0.6%, it hit the lowest at negative 3% before bouncing back to negative 1%. From June to september the cahnge in price levelled off before another fall, which eventually rose to 1% and remained stable. A quite similar pattern can be observed with Zick. Though it started at 1%, there was a 2 percentage points increase in price. However, for the remaining period the pattern was quite similar to nickel but in the end the price rose to 2%.

Copper represented a different trajectory, starting at 1%. After that, the price decreased merginally before it became the least at 0.5% in March. After remaining stable for a month, the price rose slightly to 1% and remained there for the next two months before reaching at 1.5% eventually.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph and makes relevant comparisons. You successfully identified the starting and ending points for the three metals and noted the general trends. However, there are some inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, you mention that nickel started at 6% and zinc at 1%, but the graph shows different starting values. Additionally, the description of the trends is occasionally confusing, particularly when describing the fluctuations of copper and zinc. To improve, ensure you carefully verify the data points against the visual representation and focus on highlighting the most significant trends rather than listing every minor movement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is generally clear, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'However', and 'In the following month' to link sentences. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the 'similar pattern' between nickel and zinc. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different metals, which helps the reader follow the comparison. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is more fluid.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'stark decline', 'fluctuated considerably', and 'trajectory'. There are some spelling errors, such as 'zick' instead of 'zinc' and 'cahnge' instead of 'change', as well as 'merginally' instead of 'marginally'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do affect the overall impression. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to data description, such as 'a downward trend' or 'a significant recovery', and ensure you proofread for basic spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'the price of zinc was the highest' (when the graph shows it at 2%) and 'reaching at 1.5%'. There are also minor punctuation and preposition errors throughout. Despite these, the meaning remains clear, and the errors do not significantly impede understanding. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions when describing data points (e.g., 'reached 1.5%' instead of 'reaching at 1.5%').

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