Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-04

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 monthly change prices of three metals in the year 2014.

Overall, It is clear that nickel experienced an peak downward trend in the month june, While zinc initally rise and afterward its declined, It is noticeable that all metals prices are fluctuates continuously.

At the beginning of the period, nickel stood at 6%. Its it is then decreased every month and we observe peak destration of nickel price in the month june it collapse to approximately -3% and after june we see better growth and some fluctuations. Finally, by the end of 2024 nickel is at 1%.

After this, zinc stood at 1%. Its it is then we observe slightn increase in first month to 3% and we observe continuous fall of zinc price every month till juneapproximately -1% and after june we see better growth and some fluctuations. Finally, by the end of 2024 nickel is at 2%.

Following this, copper stood at 2% and observe some changes every and finally end with 1% by the year 2024.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying the trends for the three metals. However, the analysis is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. The student mentions '2024' instead of '2014', which is a significant factual error regarding the data provided. While the main trends are identified, the comparison between the metals is weak, and the description of the data points is occasionally inaccurate (e.g., stating nickel was at 1% at the end of the period when the graph shows a different value). The response addresses the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and awkward transitions. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'After this' and 'Following this'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences is disjointed. While there is an attempt to group information, the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the text feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive summary.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of word-choice errors and non-standard collocations, such as 'peak downward trend', 'peak destration', and 'initally rise'. The student relies on basic descriptive terms and struggles to use more academic or precise vocabulary to describe trends (e.g., 'fluctuates continuously' instead of 'showed continuous fluctuations'). Spelling errors, such as 'initally' and 'slightn', also detract from the overall quality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('all metals prices are fluctuates'), tense inconsistencies ('zinc initally rise'), and awkward phrasing ('Its it is then'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple or contain errors when attempting complexity. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with comma splices and missing capital letters. These errors are frequent and occasionally make the meaning difficult to follow, though the general message remains understandable.

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

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