Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22
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 representation illustrates the average monthly fluctuation in the prices of three different metals during 2014.
Overall, Copper, Zinc and Nickel started with an average change of 2%, 1%, 6% respectively. However, they ended up giving an average of 1.5%, 2% and 1% despite the fluctuations throughout this whole period.
To start with, the given graph clearly indicates that Copper started its journey with an average variation of 2% monthly. However, by the end of period it showed a small decline making it 1.5%.Additionally, another metal named as Zinc begins with an average variation of 1%, then showed a rise following a decline and ended up making an average percentage of 2% per month.
Furthermore, the third and the last metal stated in illustration is known as Nickel. At first, this metal showed a massive rise with a mutuation of almost 6%. Gradually, it started showing a major fall which remain almost constant throughout the period. As a result, this fall ended with approximately 1% of the net price change of this metal.
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 covers all three metals presented in the graph and attempts to highlight their starting points, overall trends, and ending values. The overview touches upon the initial and final percentages for copper, zinc, and nickel, fulfilling the basic requirements of summarising the main features. However, the description of the trends over the year is overly simplistic and occasionally imprecise. For instance, stating that nickel's fall 'remained almost constant throughout the period' misses the notable fluctuations and negative values seen in the middle of the year. Furthermore, minor data points are glossed over. The response achieves a Band 6 as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant ideas, but some data interpretation is underdeveloped or lacks precision.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay has a clear overall progression, structured into an introduction, a brief overview, and separate body paragraphs for each metal. The student makes use of introductory cohesive phrases such as 'To start with,' 'Additionally,' and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader through the text. However, some of these cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical and formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas logically by metal. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional awkward transitions prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Overall, the arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, aligning well with the descriptors for a Band 6.5 or solid 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing graphical data, using terms such as 'fluctuation,' 'variation,' 'decline,' 'rise,' and 'massive rise.' However, there are instances of unnatural word choices and spelling errors, such as 'mutuation' (presumably meaning mutation or movement) and the phrase 'started its journey,' which is overly narrative for an academic report. The collocations are sometimes basic or slightly imprecise ('making it 1.5%,' 'making an average percentage'). These limitations in precision and occasional word-formation errors place the lexical resource squarely at the Band 6 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses ('despite the fluctuations throughout this whole period,' 'whereas the third...'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'ended up giving an average of' and 'a massive rise with a mutuation of almost 6%.' Subject-verb agreement and tense consistency occasionally falter ('Zinc begins with...', 'then showed a rise...'). Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded, and the sentence structures show sufficient variety to satisfy the criteria for Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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