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 bar chart illustrates fluctuation in price range of copper, zinc and nickel on monthly basis in the year 2014.
Overall, all three metals experiences quite fluctuating trend. Nickel was most expensive mental in the start of the year, whereas, zinc and copper prices remained same at the start and end of the year, with some highs and lows during the year.
In January, Nickle with highest price range stands at 6%, in the next two months experienced sharp decline to 1%. During the months April and May its costs remained same, later in June again drop to -3%. For the next three months price increase slightly to -1% , shows gradually upward trend in November and remained same till December at 1%.
Zinc and copper prices remained at 1 to 2% with slightly increase and decrease in prices during the year. In January zinc and copper rates were 1 and 2% respectively. Their prices drop slowly in next six months and reach at between -1 and 0 in mid of the year. Copper rates increase 1% and remained same till September. In December costs reached at 2 percent with small drop in November. Meanwhile, from June to October zinc ranges between 0 to -1% then show a sharp increase in December at 2%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student correctly identifies the main chart type as a line graph describing monthly price changes, though mistakenly refers to it as a bar chart in the introduction. The response covers all three metals (copper, nickel, and zinc) and attempts to report key features and comparisons throughout the year 2014. However, there are numerous data misinterpretations. For instance, the text claims nickel peaked at 6% in January and then experienced a 'sharp decline to 1%' in the next two months, whereas the chart shows 6% in Jan, 4% in Feb, and 1% in March. Furthermore, descriptions of percentage movements are sometimes confused with actual price levels or absolute values. While the overview captures general fluctuation, the inaccuracies in data reporting prevent a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is divided into four paragraphs, following a logical layout with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the different metals. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'In January', 'In the next two months', and 'Meanwhile', though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or imprecise. Paragraphing is generally appropriate, separating the overview from the detailed body points. However, referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when discussing mixed trends for zinc and copper together, making the flow occasionally disjointed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting words and phrases like 'fluctuation', 'gradually upward trend', and 'sharp increase'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'most expensive mental' (instead of metal), 'prices remained same' (instead of the same), and 'price increase slightly' (instead of increased). Spelling errors ('Nickle') also occur. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, which restricts the lexical score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Nickel was most expensive mental in the start of the year, whereas, zinc and copper prices remained same...'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors including missing articles ('in start of the year'), incorrect prepositions ('at the start and end'), subject-verb agreement issues ('all three metals experiences'), and tense inconsistencies. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader in tracking the exact meaning of the sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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