Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02

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 average change in price of three metals compared with prvious month during 2014.

Overall, a dramatic drop in the price of nickel was recorded during 2014, with massive declining observed in June. The price of copper fell steadily over the months, whereas only the cost of zinc went up slightly despite a mild dip in the middle of the period.

The cost of nickel, which was the highest among the others, witnessed a sharp decline from 6% in January to 1% in march before ramianing stable for the next month until the second marked dip in the price started from March to reach -3% in June before recovering to -1% in July and remained stable around this figure. Apart from the third fall in the price in October at -2%, this figure rose to 1% and continued at this level until the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a clear overview of the main trends for the three metals. You successfully identified the dramatic drop in nickel and the contrasting performance of copper and zinc. However, the report is incomplete as it fails to provide any specific data or description for copper, which is a key feature of the graph. The instructions require you to report on all three metals shown. By omitting the details for copper, you have not fully addressed all parts of the task. To improve, ensure that every category presented in the visual data is represented in your summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. You use some cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'apart from', and 'before', which help the flow of information. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraph is abrupt, and the final paragraph becomes somewhat cluttered with data points, making it difficult to follow the progression of the nickel price. Paragraphing is present but could be more balanced; the body paragraph is quite dense compared to the short overview. Using more varied linking phrases would improve the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'dramatic drop', 'witnessed a sharp decline', and 'recovering'. There are, however, several spelling errors such as 'prvious', 'ramianing', and 'march' (which should be capitalized). Additionally, the phrase 'massive declining observed' is grammatically awkward; 'a massive decline was observed' would be more natural. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the recurring spelling and collocation errors slightly limit the precision of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the relative clause in 'The cost of nickel, which was the highest...'. There are several grammatical inaccuracies, including 'compared with prvious month' (should be 'the previous month') and 'until the second marked dip in the price started from March'. Punctuation is generally functional, but there are issues with capitalization and tense consistency. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to suggest a lack of control over more complex structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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