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 demonstrates the alter in cost of three different metals such as copper, zinc and nickel in the months of the year 2014.

Overall, the nickel follow the trend most and remain the first among all metals, it decreases sharply on various months and make the little rise and then sudden grow again. The copper shows the continuous fluctuation in the whole months.

The Copper at starting is 2 percent in the month of January and shows the fluctuation of slightly increase and decrease in almost every month but remain constant from the July to September. The Nickel is the highest metal from all others in the month of January, however it hits it's lowest point in the month of June.

In contrast, surge decrease in the month of February and this is happen till the month of June and in October they gradually increases up to 2 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, but the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks precision. While you identify trends for copper and nickel, the description of zinc is confusingly integrated into the final paragraph without clear distinction. The overview provided is a bit disjointed, and some data points are described inaccurately (e.g., stating nickel 'remains the first' while also noting it hits a low point). To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the three metals and provide more accurate comparisons of their performance throughout the year rather than listing isolated observations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical or misused, such as 'In contrast, surge decrease'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow which metal is being discussed in the final paragraph. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'meanwhile', 'subsequently', 'in comparison') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus. The transition between the overview and the body paragraphs needs to be smoother to enhance the overall flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'alter', 'grow', and 'increase'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'the nickel follow the trend most' and 'surge decrease'. The use of 'the' before metal names is often unnecessary or incorrect. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'plummeted', 'peaked', or 'remained stable', and ensure you are using the correct parts of speech.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('nickel follow', 'copper shows'), incorrect verb tenses ('this is happen'), and punctuation errors ('it's' used for possessive 'its'). The sentence structure is often repetitive. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Additionally, try to vary your sentence structure by combining simple sentences into more complex ones using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions.

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

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