Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph tracks the information about average percentage monthly change in the rates of copper, nickel and zinc during the year 2014.

Overall, the three metals: copper, nickel and zinc's percentage fluctuates unsteadily. However, the highest percentage change is recorded in January of the metal element nickel and the lowest percentage change is noted of nickel again in June.

If considering the first 6 months, in January, the lowest is zinc with a 1% change, copper is 1% more than zinc and nickel is however the highest of 6% change. In February, there is a rise in zinc of 2% which makes it 3% while copper and nickel experiences a fall of 1% and 2% respectively. In March, all three metals experienced a downfall ,copper to 0.5%, nickel to 1%, and zinc to 2%. In April, copper and nickel remains constant while drops to 1.5%. Similarly, in May nickel and zinc constantly decreased for 0.5% and copper for 1%. Furthermore in June, nickel experienced a sudden deduction to -3% which is the lowest in the whole year, zinc also falls to negative 1% meanwhile, copper remained uniform at -0.5%.

For the last 6 months, in July, all grows upwards, nickel: -1%, zinc: -0.5%, copper: 1%. In July, August and September, the three metals remained at a constant percentage. In October, nickel falls to -2%, zinc drops to -1% and copper deduce to 0.5%. In the month of November, nickel steadily rises to 1% again, zinc to 1.5% whereas, copper is uniform. In December, nickel is at a constant percentage however, copper increased to 1.5% and zinc to 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three metals during 2014. You provide a clear overview pointing out that the percentages fluctuate unsteadily, and you highlight key extremes such as nickel in January and June. However, the data reporting is somewhat mechanical and overly detailed, listing month-by-month movements without always synthesizing the broader trends or making the most significant comparisons stand out effectively. Despite this tendency toward detailed listing, all key data points are present and accurate, positioning this submission comfortably at Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

Your essay is logically structured into an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the first and last six months of the year. This paragraphing helps the reader follow your progression. However, cohesion within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, relying heavily on sequential markers like 'In January', 'In February', and 'In March'. Furthermore, referencing and transitional phrases occasionally feel awkward, such as 'If considering the first 6 months' and 'drops to 1.5%' without a clear subject. These cohesive flaws prevent the response from achieving a higher band, making Band 6.0 an accurate reflection of your organizational control.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'fluctuates unsteadily', 'constant', 'uniform', and 'sudden deduction'. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices throughout the text, such as 'deduce' instead of 'decrease', 'grows upwards' (redundant), and 'sudden deduction' instead of 'drop' or 'plunge'. Additionally, punctuation and phrasing around numerical data show occasional lapses. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they restrict your lexical score to Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting conditional structures ('If considering the first 6 months') and subordinate clauses. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'the three metals: copper, nickel and zinc's percentage fluctuates', 'copper and nickel remains constant', and missing subjects before verbs (e.g., 'while drops to 1.5%'). Punctuation is also occasionally misused, particularly with commas separating subjects and verbs. Because the errors occur regularly across both simple and complex structures, a Band 5.5 is appropriate for this criterion.

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

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