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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making comparisons across the three metals throughout 2014. A clear overview is provided, highlighting the initial high point and dramatic decline of nickel, the continuous fluctuations of copper, and the fluctuating trend of zinc. Key data points are accurately cited, such as nickel starting at 6% and dropping to -3% in June. However, there are minor factual inaccuracies or slight misreadings in the body paragraphs; for example, the text states that copper reached its lowest point in June and July, whereas copper only dropped to -0.5% in May and June and rose to 1% in July. Despite these minor data slips, the response effectively satisfies the requirements for Task Achievement at Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is arranged coherently with a logical overall progression. It begins with a clear introduction and a well-formulated overview paragraph, followed by detailed body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different features of the data. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as "Overall", "On the other hand", and "Then", though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive (e.g., repeating "On the other hand"). Referencing is generally clear, but occasional minor lapses in cohesion prevent the text from reaching a higher band. Overall, the organizational structure is sound and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as "fluctuated", "dramatically", "significant decline", and "peak". There are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as "accounted for negative 1% change" instead of "recorded a decrease of 1%", and "reaching its least change" instead of "reaching its lowest point". Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, allowing the reader to easily follow the intended meaning. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and subordinate structures successfully (e.g., "which was the highest change among all metals"). However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, such as missing articles ("at same level", "with increase"), incorrect prepositions or comparisons ("Likewise, nickel it also reached"), and minor tense inconsistencies. While these errors occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score, they rarely impede communication, and the sentence structures remain reasonably varied.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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