Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-31
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 shows the monthly price change of three metals copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. The graph will be described in detail in the below essay.
Initially in the month of January the price change of nickel was the highest which was 6%. the lowest was of zinc that was 1%. The price change of copper was not much changed whole year. I was between -1% to 2%. Whereas there was more fluctuations in the price of nickel. In the starting of the year it was the all time highest and in June it became the lowest which was -3%. The prices of three of the metals were unchanged in the months of July, August, and September. At the end of the year the price change of zinc which was lowest at the starting of the year became the highest which is 2% and the price change of nickel which was the highest became the lowest which was 1%. Where copper remained at the mid side.
Overall the price of the copper was more stable comparing with the other two metals through out the year. The most unstable price was of nickel. the price of three metals were unchan
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a basic overview of the data but fails to fully address the task requirements. While you identify the main trends, the description is often inaccurate or lacks the necessary precision required for a Band 6 or higher. For instance, stating that prices were 'unchanged' in July, August, and September is a misinterpretation of the graph, which shows specific fluctuations. Furthermore, the summary is incomplete as the final sentence is cut off. To improve, you must ensure all data points are accurately reported and provide a more comprehensive overview that highlights the most significant trends rather than listing individual months in a repetitive manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Initially' and 'Whereas', but the flow between sentences is often disjointed. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'I was between -1% to 2%', which appears to be a typo for 'It'. Additionally, the abrupt ending of the essay significantly impacts the overall coherence. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, logical focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely on simple descriptors like 'highest', 'lowest', and 'changed'. There is an attempt to use some topic-specific language, but the lack of variety limits the score. Phrases like 'mid side' are not standard academic English. To improve, incorporate more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'remained stable', 'peaked', or 'dipped'. Expanding your range of adjectives and adverbs will help you describe the magnitude of the changes more effectively and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'the lowest was of zinc that was 1%' and 'the price of three metals were unchan'. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent, and there are several missing articles and capitalization errors. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents a higher score. Focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly with verb forms and pluralization, and try to vary your sentence structure to include more complex, error-free clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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