Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-24

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 change in prices of Copper, Nickel, and Zinc per month.

Overall, the highest change is observed in the prices of Nickel in the month of Janurary. The graph often shows a rise and fall of prices for these three metals .

In January, Nickel's average pric change was 6 %. In the next two months this percentage reduced to 1% in March and remain steady til April. A Dramatic fall has been recorded until June (-3 %). However price inceases to -1 % in July and remain constant til September. After facing a decline of -2 % in October the rates of Nickel increases to 1 % in november and December.

Whereas the price change of Copper started from 2 % in the first month of the year. This change continues to go in negative percentage and stopped around 0 in June and then the prices increase to 1 % from July to September. A further reduction in price is observed in October and november (under 1 %) which later increases around 2 % in December. Meanwhile for zinc the rate change was positive from january to February 3 %. The rate is then reduced in the coming months until June -1 % and after staying at negative number for a while, it rises to 2 % in November and 3 % in December.

In conclusion the rate change goes from positive to negative numbers on and off whole year and stopped at 1 % for Nickel, 2 % for Copper, and 3 % for Zinc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student successfully covers all three metals presented in the chart and attempts to provide an overview and key comparisons. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the data. For instance, the conclusion incorrectly states ending figures instead of summarising overall trends ('stopped at 1 % for Nickel, 2 % for Copper, and 3 % for Zinc'), and some descriptions of intermediate months contain imprecise readings or slight misinterpretations of the percentages (such as stating the price increases to -1% in July for Nickel, which is accurate, but missing some broader comparative highlights). The overview is rather basic, noting only the highest peak in January for nickel. Overall, the response addresses the prompt and covers all parts of the task, but the development and data selection are slightly limited and contain minor errors in data interpretation, placing it firmly at a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is arranged logically with a clear introduction, body paragraphs dedicated to individual metals or comparisons, and a concluding sentence. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or faulty, such as the abrupt transition 'Whereas the price change of Copper started...' and confusing referencing. The overall progression is generally clear, but the lack of sophisticated linking words and occasional awkward paragraph transitions means it does not fully achieve a Band 7. Cohesion is adequate and the overall arrangement is coherent, fitting the Band 6 descriptor well.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms related to data trends such as 'fluctuate', 'decline', 'reduction', 'steady', and 'constant'. There are, however, some noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as 'Janurary' (January), 'pric change' (price change), 'inceases' (increases), and 'november' (uncapitalized). The writer attempts less common vocabulary like 'dramatic fall', but these errors and occasional awkward phrasing ('rate change') prevent access to higher bands. The vocabulary used is minimally sufficient to convey the intended information, aligning with a Band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'In January, Nickel's average price change was 6 %' and 'After facing a decline of -2 % in October the rates of Nickel increases...'. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('rates of Nickel increases'), incorrect capitalization ('november'), and missing commas after introductory time clauses. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication. The control of grammar is satisfactory for a Band 6, showing a reasonable attempt at complex structures alongside simpler sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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