Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-08
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 monthly change in the cost of copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.
Overall, at the beginning of year nickel price are higher than other metals but the cost declined during year by 5%. In contrast, zinc prices rose by 1% yearly and copper prices also drop steadily by 0.5%.
In january, nickel cost are around 4% higher than other metals, copper begin with 2%. Furthermore, nickel and copper start declining with the passage of month. So at the mid of 2014, nickel price dropped by -3% and copper costs are under 0% in same month. But after that both metals costs fluctuated next six months.
Zinc starts with 1% and rose by 3% in february after that price begin to fall till june approximately -1%. July to december all the three metals prices fluctuated, nickel prices declined by 5%, copper cost also dropped by 0.5% anually, but zinc prices increase steadily by 1% anually.
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 trends for the three metals. However, the analysis is somewhat inconsistent. For instance, the summary of the annual changes is slightly confusing, as the text states nickel declined by 5% while the graph shows a different pattern. The description of the mid-year data is also a bit unclear, as the student mentions 'nickel price dropped by -3%', which is mathematically redundant. To improve, ensure that the data points are accurately transcribed and that the overview clearly highlights the most significant trends rather than listing every minor fluctuation. The response addresses the prompt but lacks the precision required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'Furthermore, nickel and copper start declining with the passage of month' is slightly awkward. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'nickel cost are around 4% higher than other metals', where the comparison lacks specificity. While there is a logical progression from the overview to the body paragraphs, the flow between sentences could be smoother with more varied linking words and better control over paragraph structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'anually' (spelling) and 'cost are' (subject-verb agreement). The student relies on basic terms like 'rose', 'fell', and 'fluctuated'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to trends, such as 'plummeted', 'surged', or 'marginal increase', and ensure correct collocations. The repetition of 'prices' and 'costs' also limits the lexical variety of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'nickel price are', 'nickel cost are') and tense inconsistencies (e.g., 'zinc starts', 'copper begin'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization at the start of sentences. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of basic grammatical errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would significantly improve the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.