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 given graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of copper, zinc and nickel. The data pertains to the year 2014. Overall, the graph shows nickel has the highest change in price at around 6% in the month of January and reached to 1% at the end of the year while zinc has the lowest change in price at approximately 1% in the month of January and reached to 2% in the month of December.
On a cursory look, it becomes evident that all the three metals have undergone a significant change. Furthermore, zinc has the highest change in price in the month of January at nearly 6% while in the middle of the year it had a dramatic change in price at almost -3% and by the month of December it reached to 1%. Similarly, copper has minor fluctuations of 2% in the start of the year and decreased to almost 0.5% in the month of May and June with time it decreased to approximately 1.5% in December.
In comparison, the graph depicts one metal that fluctuated throughout the year for instance, zinc had 1% change in price in the month of January and it rose to 3% in Feburary, on the one hand, it decreased again to 1% in May and reached to -1% in June, on the other hand, at the end of the year it reached to 2%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the graph illustrating the average monthly change in metal prices during 2014, but there are several inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, the student states that nickel started at around 6% in January and reached 1% at the end of the year, which is generally correct, but then confuses the data for zinc and nickel in the body paragraphs, claiming zinc peaked at 6% in January and dropped to -3% (when the graph shows nickel reaching -3% in June and zinc peaking at 3% in February). While an overview is provided, the confusion of data series across metals prevents a fully accurate representation of the visual information, aligning this performance with Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into logical paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs attempting to detail specific trends. However, the progression is confusing due to the data mix-ups. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Similarly', 'In comparison', 'on the one hand', and 'on the other hand' are used, but they are sometimes mechanically applied or mismanaged given the contradictory data points being linked. Paragraphing is present, but overall internal cohesion and logical flow between ideas require better control.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to discuss trends and changes, using terms such as 'illustrates', 'fluctuations', 'dramatic change', and 'decreased'. However, there are instances of lexical inaccuracy or awkward collocation, such as 'highest change in price at around 6%' and 'reached to 1%' (where 'reached 1%' is more standard). Some word choices are repetitive or less precise, but communication is generally maintained despite the data errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is attempted, such as 'On a cursory look, it becomes evident that all the three metals have undergone a significant change.' However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including missing prepositions or incorrect verb complementation like 'reached to 1%' and 'decreased to almost 0.5% in the month of May and June'. Punctuation is occasionally weak, leading to run-on structures or comma splices in longer sentences.
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.