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 illustrates the information about the monthly changes in the values of three differents metals in 2014.
Firstly, the average cost of Nickel was at peak, while price of Copper and Zinc was 2 and 1 percent in January. The price of Nickel dropped drastically and reached at -3 percent during june and the cost of Nickel remained stable during November and December which was 1 percent.
The rate of Copper was maximum in Fabraury and it followed a downward trend and reached at -1 percent in June. The value of Copper remained below 0 percent from June to October and in December, the cost of copper accounted at 2 percent. Whereas, the price of Zinc was least during March and June and the rate of Zinc accounted at 1 percent between July and September and in December, the cost of Zinc was below 2 percent.
Overall. the value of Nickel was at peak in January and least was seen in June and fluctuations were noticed between the rate of three different metals during the given period
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a summary of the main features, but it lacks a clear overview of the trends. While you identify some specific data points, the description of the trends is somewhat fragmented. For example, you mention that Nickel dropped to -3 percent in June, but the overall comparison between the three metals is not fully developed. To improve, ensure you highlight the most significant differences and similarities across the entire period rather than just listing individual fluctuations. The inclusion of specific data points is good, but the analysis needs to be more cohesive to fully meet the requirements of a Band 6 or higher.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For instance, the transition between sentences often relies on simple connectors like 'and' or 'whereas'. The logical progression is present, but the flow between ideas could be smoother. The final paragraph serves as an overview, but it is slightly disconnected from the body paragraphs. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information, such as 'downward trend', 'fluctuations', and 'accounted at'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'Fabraury' (February) and 'differents metals'. Additionally, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'reached at -3 percent' (should be 'reached -3 percent'). To achieve a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends and ensure that your spelling and collocations are accurate. The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'the cost of Nickel remained stable during November and December which was 1 percent' is a run-on sentence that lacks proper punctuation. There are also issues with article usage ('the rate of Copper', 'the value of Nickel') and prepositional errors ('reached at'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence boundary control and subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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