Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-06
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 graph shows the average monthly change in the prices of Copper, Nickle and Zinc during 2014.
The overall price of Copper and Nickle decreased throughout the year. However, Zinc showed the overall increase in the price.
Firstly, Nickle had a dramatic fall in price from 6% to 1% in first three months and then it became steady at it till may and again it decreased swiftly till June. From June to July it rose quickly and stabilized at -1%. Following this, it rose to 1% in December 2014.
Similarly, Copper decreased from 2% below 0 in first 6 months but its speed was slow as compared to Nickle. Then it rose to 1% and became steady at this point. After this it has a gradual increase to around 2%.
On the other hand, Zinc showed a different pattern. It increased at first and then decreased dramatically till June and then became steady below 0. Following this pattern, it recovered again to 2%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the graph, identifying the overall trends for copper, nickel, and zinc. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The description of the data points is occasionally inaccurate or confusing, such as describing copper as '2% below 0' when the graph shows a decline from a positive value. Furthermore, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the trends effectively. While the main features are selected, the comparison between the metals is limited, and the description of the fluctuations lacks the precision required for a higher band. The response would benefit from more careful observation of the axes and a more structured approach to comparing the three metals.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Following this', 'Then', 'After this'). The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the paragraph describing copper, where the sequence of events is hard to follow due to imprecise referencing. While the paragraphing is sufficient, the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between the data points is clearly articulated for the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are some spelling errors, such as 'Nickle' instead of 'Nickel'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic descriptors like 'dramatic fall', 'rose quickly', and 'became steady'. While these terms are understandable, they do not demonstrate the flexibility or the use of less common lexical items required for a band 7. To improve, you should incorporate more sophisticated terminology related to data trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'marginal', or 'peaked'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'it has a gradual increase' (tense inconsistency), 'it became steady at it' (awkward phrasing), and '2% below 0' (incorrect interpretation of the scale). Punctuation is generally functional, but the control over complex structures is inconsistent. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to suggest that the writer has not yet mastered the control required for a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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