Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-17
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 multiple line graph tracks the monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.
Overall, nickel accounted for the substantial change over the period while, the slight fluctuating trend is followed by copper in 2014.
Initially, beginning with the zinc has only 1% change in cost, raising slightly around at 3%, dropping to -1% and levelled off at about -1.75% before climbing again up to 2% at D. And copper constituted at 2%, subsequently steady fall is observed, remain stable at about 1% before recovering to almost 1.75% .
In contrast, a notable sharply decline is observed in nickel trend from 6% to 1% followed by further reduction to -3%, remain constant at around -1% before rising up to 1% and remain steady. These copper and nickel are slightly overlapped at point N.
The line graph shows significant changes in prices of metals per month, nickel has a major shift while the other two fluctuate slightly.
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 successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting on the monthly price changes of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014, and makes relevant comparisons between the three metals. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, noting that nickel experienced the most substantial changes while copper showed a slight fluctuating trend. Key features are selected and reported, such as nickel starting high at 6% and dropping to -3% in June. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting specific data points from the chart (for instance, zinc's starting point and trajectory are somewhat confused in the third paragraph). Nonetheless, the main trends are adequately identified, placing the response solidly in Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall arrangement and follows a logical structure by introducing the graph, providing an overview, detailing specific data, and concluding. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Initially', and 'In contrast'. However, referencing and paragraphing are sometimes awkward or mechanical. For example, sentences within the body paragraphs are crammed with too many data points without sufficient breathing room, and transitional phrases like 'And copper constituted at 2%' disrupt the flow. Paragraphing is minimal, with all body details lumped together. This demonstrates the characteristics of Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to graph description such as 'fluctuating trend', 'climbing', 'steady fall', and 'remain constant'. However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout, such as 'substantial change over the period while, the slight fluctuating trend is followed by copper' and 'a notable sharply decline'. Less common items are attempted with mixed success, and word choice errors occasionally cause slight hesitation for the reader, aligning with Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like 'beginning with the zinc has only 1% change' and 'while the other two fluctuate slightly'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'zinc has only 1% change', 'raising slightly around at 3%', and 'These copper and nickel are slightly overlapped'. Punctuation errors are also present, including unnecessary commas before dependent clauses. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they restrict the score to Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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