Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-16
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 4.5)
This lnie graph illustrates the mean fluctuation in the rate of three metals during the twelve months period of time in the yea 2014.
The three metals of which zinc shows a major dip in the start whereas copper and nickel shows some slight ups and downs over the period of time.
On the one hand Zinc's rate showed major changes in the percentage of the price of it in the first five months where it got expensive in first two months that is 6% and 4% in January and February respectively. In the further three months it's rate got minor hikes whereas in the middle of year in the month of June it got chipper where the rate got dropped by 3% and continued getting chipper at a rate of 1% until in the end of the year about last two months the price rose by 1% both.
On the other hand metals like copper and nickel not showed much of a fluctuation over the period of time and got some ups and down between +3% and -1% where they showed hike in price in the start and end of the year
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response attempts to summarise the main features of the line graph illustrating the average monthly change in prices for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies in the reporting of the data. For instance, the student states that zinc showed a major dip at the start and cites figures of 6% and 4% for January and February, which actually correspond to nickel in the graph. Zinc actually started at 1% in January and rose to 3% in February. Furthermore, the description of copper and nickel is confused and lacks accurate data integration. While there is an overview attempt, the severe misreading of the graph series results in a weak task response that falls under Band 4.0 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is organised into four paragraphs, including an introduction and distinct body paragraphs using cohesive phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing referencing and muddled data attribution. The pronoun and referent linkages are frequently unclear, such as 'the three metals of which zinc shows...', making it difficult for the reader to follow the argument. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is faulty and mechanical, aligning with a Band 5.0 level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, featuring phrases like 'major dip', 'slight ups and downs', 'minor hikes', and 'chipper' (likely intended to mean cheaper). There are also spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'lnie' for line, 'yea' for year, and the unnatural use of 'chipper' to describe price drops. The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task, causing some difficulty for the reader, which fits the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response demonstrates a limited range of grammatical structures. Most complex sentence attempts are flawed or overly convoluted, such as 'The three metals of which zinc shows a major dip in the start whereas copper and nickel shows some slight ups and downs over the period of time.' There are noticeable grammatical errors throughout, including subject-verb agreement issues ('copper and nickel shows'), missing articles, and preposition errors ('in the start', 'in the end of the year'). These errors frequently strain the reader, placing the response at Band 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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