Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-12
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 5.0)
We have been observing the fluctuations in the prices of different metals like copper, nickel and zinc for several months. Initially, there was a drastic change in the price of nickel, a gradual decline in copper's price and a significant increase in zinc's price. Over the course of time, we have seen a static phenomenon in case of nickel, a slight fluctuation in copper and a further decrease in zinc's price. Moreover, in the month of June nickel hits the bottom rock, copper shows some inflation and zinc also, somehow, follows the same pattern. Then onwards, from July to September, any change in the prices was not observed. However, in the next month there was a minor decrease in the prices. Eventually, in the last two months there was an increase in the prices of copper and zinc while nickel did not show any change from November to December.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the graph showing the price changes of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. However, the response has a few significant weaknesses. First, the length requirement of 150 words is not met, as the response contains only 149 words, resulting in a necessary penalty. Second, the report lacks a clear overview of the overall trends, which is a vital requirement for Academic Task 1. The student dives straight into specific month-by-month details without providing a summary of the general trajectory of the three metals. Furthermore, the selection of data points is somewhat vague, using imprecise language such as 'hits the bottom rock' and 'inflation' rather than accurately describing the statistical movements of the graph. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a band score of 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single block of text rather than being organized into logical paragraphs (such as an introduction/overview and separate body paragraphs), which restricts cohesion and structural clarity. While chronological transitions are attempted—such as 'Initially', 'Over the course of time', 'Then onwards', and 'Eventually'—the overall organization lacks a coherent progression. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, as seen in phrases like 'the same pattern' without fully establishing the shared behavior beforehand. Paragraphing is absent, which detracts from the visual and logical structure expected in an academic report. These issues align with a band score of 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing data trends, including words like 'fluctuations', 'gradual decline', and 'significant increase'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and inappropriate collocations that lower the quality of the response. For instance, the phrase 'hits the bottom rock' is incorrect (the standard idiom is 'hits rock bottom' or 'reaches a low'), and using 'inflation' to describe a rise in the price of an individual metal is imprecise. Additionally, repeating phrases like 'in the prices' several times limits lexical variety. These errors cause some awkwardness for the reader, fitting the descriptor for a band score of 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Initially, there was a drastic change in the price of nickel, a gradual decline in copper's price and a significant increase in zinc's price.' However, control over grammar and sentence structure is inconsistent. There are awkward phrasings and unnatural conversational framing at the very beginning of the response ('We have been observing the fluctuations...'), which is inappropriate for an academic report. While basic grammatical structures are generally controlled, attempts at more complex descriptions sometimes result in clunky or unnatural phrasing. There are frequent minor errors that place this performance firmly at a band score of 5.0.
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.