Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-18

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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates the data that described about average monthly price of three metals in 2014.

Overall, price of copper was stable throughout the years. The price of nickel and zinc showed fluctuation.

Generally, Nickel prices frequently dropped from 6% to 1% till the March and drastically reached in -3% in June. Then it traded consistently -1% from July to September , again itsf fell to -2% in October. However, In Novermber its price raised significantly from -2% to 1% and it remain same till December.

On the other hand, Zinc price peaked in August where it reaches to 3% afterthat, its rate dropped continuously and fell to -1% till June. Its price trade in between -1 and 0% till the end of October. Apparently, it price reached to 2% till the end of year. Copper showed little fluctuation and negative trend was observed in March and June. While, its rate stabled throughout the end of year hovering around 2% approximately.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main features of the line graph showing the average monthly change in metal prices during 2014. However, there are significant factual inaccuracies regarding the data. For instance, the student states that zinc peaked in August at 3% and then fell to -1% by June, which is chronologically confused, and claims that copper hovered around 2% approximately when it actually fluctuated between -0.5% and 2%. The overview is also very weak, incorrectly claiming that copper was stable while the others fluctuated. Because of these data misinterpretations and inaccuracies, the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, including an introduction and an overall summary. However, the logical progression within the body paragraphs is frequently disrupted by confusing timelines and abrupt transitions, such as 'till the March and drastically reached in -3% in June. Then it traded...'. Cohesive devices are sometimes used awkwardly or mechanically (e.g., 'On the other hand', 'Apparently'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion of ideas lacks clear structure, making the text difficult to follow at times.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive ('price', 'dropped', 'reached', 'fluctuation'). There are several noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'price raised significantly' instead of 'rose', 'itsf fell', and 'its price trade in between'. While the student attempts less common expressions like 'drastically reached' or 'negative trend', these are marred by inaccurate prepositions and incorrect word forms. The lexical range is minimally adequate for the task, but frequent errors impede smooth reading.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent errors in verb tense, voice, and agreement, such as 'the data that described about', 'price raised', 'it remain same', and 'it price reached'. Punctuation and article usage are also problematic (e.g., 'in Novermber', 'the end of year'). These errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader in understanding the precise meaning of the comparisons.

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

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