Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-25

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 4.0)

The graph illustrates that the moderate monthly transform in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall,the Copper in first month decline and the seven month increasing.So,this figure first time decreasing and after six month grow.In addition to,the Nickel in first month highly decreasing and increasing in nine month.So,this figure first highly decline and after 7 month highly grow.So,the last Zinc first month increasing and in 2 month decreasing.

First of all,the Copper in januray 2% and in july 1%.So,this figure decreased.Second of all,Nickel in january 6% and -3% in july.So,this figure highly decline.And the last Zinc 1% in january and -1% in june.So this figure decreased.In addition,the Zinc in september -1% and 2% in december.So the Zinc costs highly grow.And the Nickel rates in december 1%.And the first Copper in last month 1.5%.

To sum up,the copper first month rates increased and last month rates same in first month.So,the Nickel in first month prices highly decline and the last month prices grow.So,the last Zinc in first month grow and the last month prices normal decreased.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response attempts to summarize information about the three metals, but the overall task achievement is significantly hindered by unclear data reporting and fragmented structure. The opening sentence fails to form a complete clause ('The graph illustrates that the moderate monthly transform...'). The selection of features is erratic, jumping between different months and metrics without establishing a clear overview. While the student attempts to report some specific figures from the visual data, such as 'Copper in januray 2%' and 'Nickel in january 6%', the descriptions are often confusing, ungrammatical, and fail to synthesize the overarching trends effectively. Ideas are under-developed and lack coherent integration, corresponding to a Band 4.5 level of performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The essay is divided into short paragraphs, but the logical flow and progression are severely disrupted by repetitive phrasing, fragmented sentences, and an over-reliance on connectors like 'So', 'First of all', and 'In addition'. There is a lack of smooth transitions between ideas, and referencing is often unclear (e.g., 'So,this figure first time decreasing'). Paragraphing is attempted, but individual paragraphs consist of disjointed sentences rather than unified thematic blocks. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and often inaccurately, leading to an overall arrangement that is difficult to follow. This aligns with Band 4.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

The vocabulary range is very basic and repetitive. The student relies heavily on words like 'decrease', 'increase', 'grow', and 'figure'. There are also frequent word-form errors, such as using 'transform' instead of 'transformation', 'increasing' instead of 'increase', and 'grow' where adjectives or nouns might be grammatically required. Attempts to use less common vocabulary fail due to inaccurate collocation and word choice (e.g., 'prices normal decreased'). These lexical limitations and errors frequently strain the reader and impede clear communication, placing the response firmly at Band 4.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting almost entirely of simple, repetitive structures or faulty complex/compound attempts joined by commas and coordinating conjunctions. There is a total absence of accurate complex sentence forms. Punctuation errors are pervasive, such as missing spaces after commas and periods (e.g., 'Overall,the Copper'), and major sentence-boundary errors occur throughout the text, such as incomplete clauses and run-on sentences. Errors in verb tense, preposition usage, and word forms are frequent and regularly cause comprehension difficulties for the reader, matching the criteria for Band 4.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.