Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-13
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 provided line chart illustrates the proportion of alteration of the average cost of three distinct metals namely copper, znic, and nickel, during each month in 2014.
Overall, it is evident that both copper and zinc experienced an upward trent during the last month of the year, whilst nickel just levelled off. Furthermore, the most dramatic change of price was observed for nickel followed by zinc.
Nickel was the most expensive metal at the start of the year, 6% in Janurary and then experienced a sharp decline hitting its lowest price in the month of June with -3% change, then after showing some fluctuations its figure platuead in December.
On the other hand, zinc started off with an increase from 1% in Janurary and reach its peak of 3% in the following next month, then it started to fell off and showed some fluctuations hitting its lowest points twice in the months of June and October, before increasing gradually and finishing at 2%. In contrast, copper undergoes the least amount of dramatic changes starting off at 2% and showed fluctuation throughout the entire year before finishing just under 2% in December.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses the prompt by summarising the main features of the graph regarding the monthly price changes of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. Key features and general trends are identified, such as nickel experiencing the most dramatic changes and copper showing relatively minor fluctuations. Comparisons are made across the three metals throughout the year. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the specific data points from the chart. For example, nickel started at 6% in January rather than simply '6%', and the description of the trends occasionally misses minor data alignments. Overall, the response covers all parts of the task well with relevant ideas selected and reported, earning a solid Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into an introduction and three body paragraphs, creating a coherent overall arrangement. Information and ideas are generally logically sequenced, with the student moving from an overview to specific details for each metal. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'In contrast' are employed to connect ideas, although some referencing and transitional links feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body content. While the progression is mostly clear, a few cohesive links are slightly repetitive or clumsy, placing this response firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'proportion of alteration', 'upward trent', 'levelled off', and 'fluctuations'. However, there are several spelling and word-choice errors that detract from precision, such as 'znic' (zinc), 'trent' (trend), 'Janurary' (January), 'platuead' (plateaued), and 'fell off' versus 'fall off'. Furthermore, the phrase 'proportion of alteration' is slightly unnatural for describing percentage changes in prices. Despite these inaccuracies, communication is not impeded, and the vocabulary is sufficient for an adequate response, meriting a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including introductory subordinate clauses and coordinate clauses. However, there is a notable presence of grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'copper undergoes the least amount of dramatic changes starting off at 2% and showed fluctuation' (tense inconsistency) and 'reach its peak' (missing past tense marker 'reached'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but comma splices and run-on structures occur, such as in the lengthy final sentence. Because the errors in grammar and tense consistency do not severely impede communication, the response fits the Band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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