Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-20

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 percentage of average montly prices of three metals, namely,Copper,Nickel and Zinc in 2014.

Overall,nickel is showing rapid decline over a whole year with a small gain in the price of nickel at the end of year. Other two metals showing volatility throughout the year.

In first six months,nickel fell steadily from 6% to 1% after declining showing stability in the price for a short time period then showing a decrease with the percentage at around negative 3. conversely, the zinc started from positive 1% then showed a raised at around 2% afterthat, Zinc exhibiting the dramatic decline with the percentage at around negative 1 while, copper experienced fluctuating throughout the year

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the main features of the line graph regarding the average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. An overview is attempted, noting volatility and a general trend for nickel. However, the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 116 words. This results in under-developed descriptions of the data, and several data points or trends are misreported or vague (e.g., describing nickel as showing a rapid decline over a whole year when it fluctuates significantly, including positive changes towards the end). Due to the incomplete nature of the response and failure to meet the length requirement, Task Achievement is capped accordingly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into an introduction and two brief body paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped and abrupt. Cohesive devices are used minimally and sometimes awkwardly, such as 'conversely, the zinc started...' and 'afterthat, Zinc exhibiting...'. Progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed because sentences are crammed with data points without clear logical sequencing or smooth transitions. Overall arrangement shows some basic organizational attempt, but referencing and cohesive ties are frequently faulty and mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic task, featuring words like 'percentage', 'volatility', 'fluctuating', and 'decline'. However, there are numerous lexical and spelling errors throughout the text, such as 'montly' instead of 'monthly', 'raised' instead of 'rise', and spacing issues around punctuation marks (e.g., 'namely,Copper,Nickel'). Attempts to use less common vocabulary are marred by inaccurate word choice and collocations, such as 'showing a raised at around 2%'. The lexical range remains somewhat limited and repetitive.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, missing articles, and awkward verb forms, such as 'nickel is showing rapid decline', 'Other two metals showing volatility', and 'Zinc exhibiting the dramatic decline'. Punctuation is also problematic, with missing spaces after commas and periods. While the meaning can generally be discerned despite the errors, the high frequency of structural and mechanical inaccuracies prevents the response from achieving a higher band.

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

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