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 graph illustrates the average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014.

Overall, it is apparent that nickel and copper experienced a downward trend while zinc showed an upward trend throughout the year. In addition, all three metals fluctuated slightly during that year.

From January to March the figure for nickel declined sharply to 1% and then it remained stable at 1% in April. The figure again underwent a rapid decrease to -3% in July before climbing moderately to reach -1 in July. After dropping to -2 %, the proportion leveled off at -1% from July to September, and then it rose drastically to 1% in November.

In terms of coper, the proportion fell steadily to more than 0% in April before experiencing a slight fluctuation from 0.5% to 1% in July. The figure remained stable from July to September, at 1% and again showing a slow fluctuation.

Regarding zinc, the proportion increased considerably to 3% in February before reducing consistently to -1% in June. After escalating significantly to reach 2% in December, the figure experienced a slight fluctuation from July to October. Although zinc had the lowest proportion initially, it surpassed other two categories at the end of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student provides a good overview of the trends and attempts to report key features and comparisons from the graph. However, there are some noticeable inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, the student states that nickel and copper experienced a downward trend throughout the year, which is inaccurate for copper since it started and ended at similar levels with moderate fluctuations rather than a sustained downward trajectory. Furthermore, some data points are misread or confused with other metals (e.g., describing copper's movements using terms like 'the proportion fell steadily to more than 0% in April'). Despite these data errors, all parts of the prompt are addressed, and comparisons are attempted at the end. This places the response comfortably at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged logically into clear paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs dedicated to specific metals. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'From January to March', 'In terms of', and 'Regarding zinc' are used to structure the text and guide the reader. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as using 'the figure' and 'the proportion' repeatedly to refer to percentage changes, which makes the tracking of specific data slightly repetitive and mechanical at times. Paragraphing is used appropriately, resulting in a coherent overall structure that achieves a Band 6.5 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to graph description such as 'fluctuated', 'declined sharply', 'remained stable', and 'escalating significantly'. There are some awkward collocations and imprecise terms, such as using 'proportion' instead of 'percentage' or 'rate of change', and spelling errors like 'coper' instead of copper. Less common lexical items are attempted with some success, but occasional inaccuracies in word choice prevent the score from reaching higher bands. The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows communication to flow without major obstacles, earning a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over past tense narrative structures for temporal data ('declined sharply', 'remained stable'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'surpassed other two categories' (missing 'the') and dangling modifiers or unclear reference clauses ('and again showing a slow fluctuation'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, though commas are occasionally misused or missing around introductory phrases. The errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band, 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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