Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-01
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 tracks the percentage wise fluctuation in the average prices of three metals copper, nickel and zinc over different months of the 2014
At the start of the year, Prices for the all three metals were higher as compered to the rest of the year. 6%, 2% and 1% changes have been seen for the nickel, copper and zinc respectively as compared with the December, 2013. Nickel shows the significant decreased in price till march, slight variation from march to may, minus three percent drops in June to minus one percent in July, stays unchanged till September and from October to November rise significantly.
While in case of zinc, price increase up to 3% in February and after that notable decline had been seen for the rest of the year but from October to December, price starts to increase.
Copper shows the frequent ups and downs of prices over the year.
Overall, the line graph shows the decline movement of price of all three metals for the year of 2014.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main trends for the three metals, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the starting point and some fluctuations, the description of the data is inconsistent. For instance, you describe nickel's movement in detail but provide very little information for copper, merely stating it shows 'frequent ups and downs' without specifying the range or key turning points. To reach a higher band, you must ensure that all three categories are described with equal detail and that comparisons between the metals are more explicit. The overall summary is present but could be more precise regarding the specific trends observed throughout the year.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'While in case of zinc' is slightly awkward. The progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the paragraph discussing copper, which lacks sufficient development to create a logical flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the main points, such as 'fluctuation', 'notable decline', and 'significant'. However, there are several errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'percentage wise fluctuation' (should be 'percentage-wise' or 'percentage fluctuations') and 'the significant decreased' (should be 'a significant decrease'). Additionally, some phrasing is repetitive. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'volatility' for frequent changes or 'a downward trajectory' for a consistent decline, and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Issues include missing articles ('the' before 'nickel'), incorrect verb forms ('price starts to increase' instead of 'prices started to increase'), and punctuation errors. For example, 'the year of 2014' is slightly unnatural, and 'as compered to' contains a spelling error. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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