Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The line graph illustrates the information about the change in price of three metals in each month in 2014.
Overall, it can be seen that all three metals expericened considerable fluctuation in price over the period. The change in price of nikel was highest at the start of year and decreased to lowest at the end of the year. However, the price of other two metal showed fluctuating trend through out the year.
The change in price of nikel was 6% in January. It then gradually decreased to 4% in march and remained the same in April. The percentage figure decreased dramatically to -3% in June subsequently rose to -1% in July and remained constant until September.It then peaked at 1% in November and remained stagnant in December.
Copper make up 2% of price change in January, declined significantly to 0.5% in April. it then rose to 1% in July before falling to -0.5 in March and reamined uchanged till September. It rose to 1.5% in december. Zinc accounted for 1% change in price in January, increased to 3% in February and fell sharply to -1% in June this figure experienced slight fluctuation afterwards increased too 2% in December.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all three metals presented in the line graph, making relevant comparisons across the year 2014. The overview correctly identifies that the metals experienced fluctuations, although the claim that nickel's price 'decreased to lowest at the end of the year' is inaccurate since it ended at +1%. The body paragraphs select key data points, such as nickel starting at 6% in January and dropping to -3% in June. However, there are minor data inaccuracies in the reporting, such as misstating the month for copper's low point (-0.5% was in May and June, not March). Despite these minor errors in data interpretation, the response adequately addresses the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is arranged into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for nickel and copper/zinc. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the data, such as 'It then gradually decreased' and 'subsequently rose'. However, referencing and progression are sometimes awkward, and paragraphing could be improved by separating copper and zinc into distinct discussions. Cohesive devices are occasionally mechanical or repetitive, leading to a Band 6 score for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary appropriate for a data summary, including terms like 'fluctuation', 'dramatically', 'gradually', and 'constant'. However, there are several spelling errors ('expericened', 'nikel', 'reamined', 'unchanged', 'too') and occasional issues with word choice or collocation (e.g., 'Copper make up 2% of price change'). The range is adequate for the task, but vocabulary limitations and spelling slips prevent the score from reaching Band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Although it can be seen that...' and 'It then gradually decreased to 4% in march and remained the same in April.' There are several grammatical and punctuation errors, including missing capitalisation ('march', 'december'), subject-verb agreement issues ('Copper make up'), and run-on sentences ('It rose to 1.5% in december. Zinc accounted for...'). These errors do not impede overall communication, placing the response firmly in Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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