Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The line graph illustrate the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc in the year of 2014.
Overall, the price of zinc begin with the lowest percentage of three metals and end up with the highest cost. Additionally, nickel started with the highest percentage change compared with the previous month and end with the lowest price. All three metals dipped in June.
In the first half of 2014, the percentage prices of all three metals copper, nickel and zinc fell sharply. In January, the percentage price of nickel started at the peak price and fall down drastically from six percent to negative three percent in June. Moreover, the percentage price of zinc begin with the lowest price in January, its increased from two percent in February and decreased form negative two percent in June. The percentage cost of copper changed from six month first in 2014 went down slightly from two percent to negative zero point five percent in June.
In the last half of 2014, the percentage prices of all three metals copper, nickel and zinc fluctuated slightly. From June to July, all three metals increased slightly and after that form July to September all three metals stabled. The change, was negative until October and November when it began to rise.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
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. An overview is provided, noting the starting and ending positions of the metals and the common dip in June. However, there are several inaccuracies in data reporting. For instance, the text claims nickel 'fell down drastically from six percent to negative three percent in June', which misinterprets the trajectory, and states that nickel ended with the lowest price when it actually rose to 1% in December. Furthermore, the description of the second half of the year contains vague and incorrect summaries regarding price movements. While all parts of the task are addressed, the data misinterpretations prevent a higher band score, placing it firmly at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs covering the first and second halves of the year respectively. This shows an attempt at logical organisation. However, the progression within paragraphs is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing time references, such as 'The percentage cost of copper changed from six month first in 2014'. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inaccurately, and referencing between sentences is occasionally unclear. Paragraphing is present, but overall cohesion is faulty, which aligns with the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, heavily relying on terms like 'percentage price', 'increased', and 'decreased'. There are noticeable word choice errors and confusions, such as 'cost' instead of 'price', and 'stabled' instead of 'stabilised'. Phrases like 'the six month first in 2014' and 'the last half of 2014' demonstrate a limited lexical range and awkward collocation. While the language is minimally adequate to convey basic trends, the frequency of lexical inaccuracies causes some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 profile.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent structural errors. There are numerous tense and form errors, such as 'The line graph illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'price of zinc begin' (past tense misuse), 'fall down drastically' (tense consistency), and 'its increased' (possessive/contraction confusion). Complex structures are rarely attempted, and when they are, they often result in ungrammatical or incomprehensible clauses like 'The change, was negative until October and November when it began to rise.' These persistent errors frequently strain the reader, justifying a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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