Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19
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 graph illustrates the changes in costs in each month of three metals during 2014. Those metals are copper, nickel and zinc.
Nickel had the highest percent in January, 6%. However, it experienced a significant drop in the next 4 months, with the lowest point of -3% in June. It rose a little bit, then remained stable from July to October. It decreased slightly again before rising again before rising to 1% in December.
Starting with 1% in January, the percentage change in prices of zinc increased slightly to 2% in February. Then, it dropped to -1% in the period of 5 months. It fluctuated from June to October before going up to 2% in December.
Comparing with the two others above, copper seemed to have a less significant change in prices. It was 2% in January, and decreased to under 0% in June. After that, it fluctuated and reached nearly its highest point of 2% in December.
Overall, in spite of having the highest point at first, nickel experienced a dramatic decrease and became the lowest one in end of the year. Although each metal had different percentages in January, they reached nearly points between 1 and 2% in December.
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 student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main trends and making relevant comparisons across the three metals. The overview paragraph effectively highlights the contrast between the starting positions and the ending values in December. The selection of data is generally accurate, capturing Nickel's peak in January and drop in June, Zinc's fluctuation, and Copper's relatively stable path. However, there are minor inaccuracies in the detailed body paragraphs, such as stating Nickel remained stable from July to October (the graph shows it declining slightly from -1% to -2%) and describing Zinc's period of -1% lasting five months (it was actually shorter). Nevertheless, the response covers all required aspects adequately and meets the standards for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, separate body paragraphs for each metal, and a summary overview at the end. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'However', 'Starting with', and 'After that'. However, referencing and transitions are at times a bit mechanical or repetitive ('then', 'again'). Paragraphing is used sufficiently, though grouping information differently could have enhanced comparisons. Overall progression is clear, supporting a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a Task 1 response, employing terms such as 'significant drop', 'fluctuated', and 'percentage change'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but word choice and collocation are occasionally awkward or imprecise, such as 'highest percent' instead of 'highest percentage' and 'reached nearly points' instead of 'reached similar levels'. Spelling is accurate, and communication is never impeded, placing the lexical performance solidly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing dependent clauses such as 'in spite of having the highest point at first' and 'Although each metal had different percentages'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, including 'before rising again before rising', preposition errors like 'in end of the year' instead of 'at the end of the year', and 'Comparing with' instead of 'Compared with'. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear and communication is not impeded, making a Band 6.0 appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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