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 line graph illustrates average monthly change in price of three metals(copper, zinc,and nickel) in 2014. Change in price is represented in percentage. Overall nickel was at the highest point initially, but declined dramatically, while copper fluctuated throughout the given period. On the other hand, zinc saw a slight increase, after which it also saw a decrease and again rise at the end of the period.
Nickel started with 6% change, which was the highest change among all metals. Then it saw a significant decline with 1% change in both March and April. It reached its lowest point in June with negative 3% of the change. On the other hand, copper fluctuated throughout the given period. It initially had 2% change and continuously declined, with its lowest point in the month of June and July. It remained at same level in July and September with 1% of change.
However, zinc is the only metal which starts with increase, reaching its peak at 3% change in February. Likewise nickel, it also reached its least change in the month of June and accounted for negative 1% change. From the month of October, it showed a significant increase with almost 2% change 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 candidate provides a clear overview of the main trends shown in the graph, noting that nickel started high and declined dramatically while copper fluctuated and zinc showed mixed movements. Key features are reported, such as nickel starting at 6% and hitting a low in June at -3%. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in reporting specific data points compared to the visual transcription (for instance, stating that copper reached its lowest point in June and July when it was actually at -0.5%, whereas other months were higher). Nonetheless, all parts of the task are addressed with relevant comparisons, earning a solid band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organised into an introduction, overview paragraph, and body paragraphs detailing individual metals. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'On the other hand', 'However', and 'Likewise nickel'. However, referencing and paragraphing could be smoother, and there are some awkward transitions between ideas. For instance, jumping straight into specific monthly details for nickel right after the introduction creates slightly disjointed progression. Paragraphing is used generally well to separate the introduction/overview from the body details, supporting an overall coherent structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with appropriate terms relating to trends and data such as 'fluctuated', 'significant decline', 'lowest point', and 'peak'. The student attempts less common vocabulary ('dramatically', 'accounted for'), though there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'least change' instead of 'lowest change' and 'again rise' instead of 'another rise'. Despite these minor flaws, communication is clear and the lexical range is sufficient for a band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, successfully using subordinate clauses ('while copper fluctuated throughout the given period', 'which was the highest change'). Grammatical control is generally fair, but there are noticeable errors such as missing articles ('at same level', 'with increase', 'with almost 2% change') and awkward phrasing like 'again rise'. Punctuation is mostly accurate, and these errors rarely impede overall communication, placing the response firmly at band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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