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 graph depicts the change in percentage of the price of three metals throughout the year of 2014. As observed, the reduction is fairly significant for the nickel, whereas the other two, copper and zinc, showed a little fluctuation.
The nickel's price reduced gradually by 5% till March, then remained fairly stable till May, to start the steep reduction till June, increased by 2% in a month, remained steady till September. At the end of the year it increased again but only by 2%.
On comparing the other two metals, it was observed that they were somewhat relative to each other till the month of October. There was gain in the price of zinc initially for first two months, followed by reduction till May, but still the prices were more than copper. Whereas, later in the year, the copper got increment from June and zinc's price got reduced. Finally at the end, zinc had more percentage increment than copper.
Overall, the highest reduction was for nickel. The copper fluctauted a little but at the end it was almost at the same percentage as was in the start of the year while the zinc was 1% lower than it's highest increase.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the graph showing the average monthly change in prices for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. However, there are several inaccuracies in interpreting the data. For instance, the text claims nickel's price 'reduced gradually by 5% till March', whereas the chart shows a positive percentage change of 6%, 4%, and 1% in January, February, and March respectively (meaning prices were growing, not reducing). Similarly, stating that nickel 'increased by 2% in a month' misinterprets the negative values. The overview touches upon general trends, but the misreadings of the positive and negative percentage changes pull this criterion down to a band 5.5, as the response is only partially accurate in reporting the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organised into four paragraphs, following a logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs detailing the metal trends, and an overview. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'followed by', and 'finally' are used to connect ideas, though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or awkward, such as 'On comparing the other two metals, it was observed that they were somewhat relative to each other'. Paragraphing is handled adequately, separating the introduction, body details, and concluding summary. Overall, the logical progression is clear enough to follow, even though some referencing between sentences is slightly imprecise.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'fluctuation', 'reduction', 'stable', and 'increment'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'the copper got increment' instead of 'copper experienced an increase' or 'prices rose', and the spelling error 'fluctauted'. The student also struggles with precise vocabulary for describing statistical changes (e.g., confusing positive percentage changes with reductions). The lexical range is sufficient to communicate basic ideas, but errors in word formation and collocation prevent it from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses ('As observed, the reduction is fairly significant...'). However, there are numerous grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings throughout the text, including missing articles ('for the nickel', 'for first two months'), awkward preposition use, and clunky passive constructions ('it was observed that they were somewhat relative to each other'). While these errors do not completely obscure the intended meaning, they occur with high frequency and impede fluent reading. The control of grammar is inconsistent, placing it firmly at band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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