Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-07
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 demonstrates the information about the change in price of metals, over the period of one year.
Overall, the differences in the price of metals is exponential, as huge increment is observed as well as downfall also plays a vital role in the value for metals.
By looking at the graph, a striking feature of nickel is observed, at the beginning of the year nickel prices were skyrocketed to nearly 6% which i the all time highs for nickel, as months passed it showed a significant downward trend up to -3% in the month of June, the prices fluctuated around -1% to -2%, and slight jump is observed in the last couple of months.
Moreover, discussing about zinc compared to nickel the changes are very little, zinc started at 1% in the starting of the year, gradually increasing to 3%, this point was the peak time for zinc, after that the prices showed a downward trend reaching minimum point to -1%, it stayed at this point for couple of months and a sharp increment is noticed in the end of year. In contrast, the copper is the most stable metal of all three, copper started at 2% to minimum around -1%, and this range is observed all around the year ended with slight incrementb after the downfall to about 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 all three metals and identifies key trends such as the peak for nickel and the relative stability of copper. However, the overview is problematic; describing the price changes as 'exponential' is factually incorrect based on the graph, and the claim that 'downfall plays a vital role' is vague and informal. While the main features are selected, the analysis lacks precision in reporting specific data points, and the overall summary does not effectively synthesise the trends. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant differences and similarities rather than listing every fluctuation, and ensure terminology accurately reflects the data presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak transitions. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'at the beginning of the year' or 'in the end of year'. The connection between sentences is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where the transition between metals feels abrupt. To reach a higher band, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus that guides the reader through the comparison of the three metals.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'skyrocketed to nearly 6%' and 'huge increment' are somewhat informal or imprecise for an academic report. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'increment' (which is often used as a verb or in specific technical contexts) instead of 'increase'. The spelling error 'incrementb' at the end of the text also detracts from the overall quality. To improve, incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'peaked', 'remained stable', and 'marginal'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'the differences in the price of metals is' (subject-verb agreement), 'i the all time highs' (missing verb/article), and 'discussing about zinc' (incorrect preposition usage). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences that lack proper conjunctions or full stops. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and avoiding run-on sentences will significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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