Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-21

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 4.5)

This diagram illustrates the price difference between three metals that are " Copper, Nickel,Zinc" and how their prices are changing abruptly every month.

In the month of january, there is 1% change in the price of Zinc on the other hand there is 2% change in the price of Copper and 6% change in the price of Nickel,which shows that Nickel price is very high. In February, Zinc price goes up and the change is now at 3% while Nickel is on 4%. Zinc is the only one which price chnage goes up to 3%. In March, the copper, nickel and zinc prices changed by 0.5%,1% and 2% respectively. In April, the change in prices are 1.5% for zinc, nickel 1% and copper 0.5%. In May,zinc prices changed by 1% and nickel between 0.5 and 1% while zinc is on 1%. In June, the prices of copper , nickel and zinc are changed by 0.5% but in negative and -3% and -1% respectively. In July, the prices changed and there we can see that all the metal prices which were in negative in june are also in negative except copper which is at 1%. In August and September, the prices of all metals changed and their prices changed same like the last month and only copper again is in positive. In october, all the prices changed are in negative but in november the prices of all the metals goes up and all the prices change are in positive. In December, only nickel prices change at 1% same like previous month but copper and zinc prices increase more than their previous month prices.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student attempts to describe the line graph showing the average monthly price changes for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. However, the response struggles significantly with understanding the data represented on the y-axis, consistently misinterpreting 'percentage change in price compared with previous month' as the absolute price level itself, claiming that 'Nickel price is very high'. Furthermore, the reporting becomes an overly granular, month-by-month list rather than a well-synthesised summary highlighting key features and major comparisons. While the main trends are touched upon, the lack of an overarching overview and the misinterpretation of the percentage metric prevent the response from scoring higher.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response suffers from severe paragraphing deficiencies, presented almost as a single massive block of text with only a rudimentary division. Cohesive devices are repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on chronological markers like 'In the month of january', 'In February', 'In March', and 'In April' without establishing a clear logical progression or grouping of information. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'In May,zinc prices changed by 1% and nickel between 0.5 and 1% while zinc is on 1%', where zinc is redundantly mentioned twice. Overall organisation is weak and lacks a clear overarching structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.5

The lexical range is basic and repetitive, frequently reusing verbs and phrases such as 'price changed', 'prices changed', and 'goes up'. There are awkward phrasings and incorrect word choices, such as 'price difference between three metals that are Copper, Nickel,Zinc' and 'price chnage goes up'. Less common vocabulary is absent, and spelling or typographical errors are noticeable, such as 'january' (uncapitalized), 'chnage', and spacing issues around punctuation marks. The vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey basic ideas, but lacks precision and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The response demonstrates a limited range of grammatical structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and basic compound structures. Attempts at complex sentences often result in faulty punctuation and syntax, such as run-on sentences like 'In July, the prices changed and there we can see that all the metal prices which were in negative in june are also in negative except copper which is at 1%.' Grammatical errors are frequent, including missing articles ('in january'), subject-verb agreement issues ('all the prices changed are in negative'), and incorrect prepositions ('prices change at 1%'). These frequent errors occasionally cause strain for the reader.

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