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 graphs illustrates average monthly fluctuation in pricing of three metals that are copper, nickel and zinc during the year of 2014.
Overall, Nickel prices declined throughout the year as compared to zinc and copper. Whereas by end of the year 2014 all three components were at difference of 1-2% in their pricing.
Rates of Nickel dropped rapidly from January to June in 2014. Whereas Zinc and Copper pricing changed differently as compared to Nickel. By the month of July all three components were on parallel with a few rate difference. Additionally, all components prices remained same for consecutive 3 months in various ranges by 2014. Also by the end of September Zinc and Nickel fell down harshly, as compared to Copper which dropped slightly.
By the End of the year 2014, all of components peaked upward in different ranges. But by the end of year Copper, Nickel and zinc prices stopped at same percent approximately with a few gap. Although, as comparison with start of the year Nickel prices dropped, whereas Zinc and copper remained same almost.
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 attempts to summarize the graph, but it struggles to accurately interpret the data. The description of the trends is often vague or factually inconsistent with the visual information provided (e.g., claiming prices remained the same for three months or that they peaked at the same percentage). The overview is present but lacks clarity, and the reporting of key features is hindered by imprecise language. To improve, you must focus on identifying specific data points, such as the starting and ending values, and describing the trends with greater precision rather than using general terms like 'harshly' or 'peaked upward' without supporting figures.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or misused, such as starting sentences with 'Whereas' or 'Also' in a way that does not effectively link the preceding information. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the three metals. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely on basic descriptors like 'dropped', 'changed', and 'remained same'. There is an attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary, but it is often used inaccurately, such as 'fluctuation in pricing' or 'components' (when referring to metals). To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'declined steadily', or 'remained stable'. Additionally, avoid using informal or imprecise phrasing like 'fell down harshly' or 'peaked upward'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The graphs illustrates'), article usage (e.g., 'by end of the year'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'were on parallel with a few rate difference'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally impede the clarity of your message. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct article usage, and proofreading for common errors like pluralization and verb tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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