Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-26

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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates, the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall, from initially the nickel faces a huge decline in its price, and went below the other two metals, however rises again and then remained constant for couple. Whereas the zinc also faces downfall from initially in its price, and than rise again, but at the end there was a variable change. At last, the nickel price rises at first, and then faces decline for a time period, however after some constant month it rises again at last.

In the line graph, Nickel faces a huge neglection in its price from 6% to 1% in three months from January to March. However it also faces negativity in its price, and went to negative 3% in January. After that it rises and reached 1% in December. But Zinc prices increases initially and went from 1% to 3% in February. However it faces neglection in its price, and went from 3% to negative 1% in January. After this there was a slightly increase and went again to its origin. But at end it again dominated to 2% in December.

In the Coppers price there was a neglection in its price, and went to negative 0.5 percent. After this there was an increase to 1% remained constant for three months. At the there was again rise in its price and went to 2.75% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to cover the main trends for copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014, but the response contains several inaccuracies in data interpretation. For instance, the text states that nickel went to negative 3% in January, whereas the chart shows it starting at 6% in January and dropping to -3% in June. Furthermore, the descriptions are often confused, repetitive, and describe the same metal multiple times across different paragraphs with contradictory details. While an overall trend is attempted in the introduction, the lack of accurate reporting and precise selection of key features prevents the response from achieving a higher score. It falls into the Band 5 category because it addresses the task partially with confusing and sometimes contradictory descriptions of the graphical data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework, but the logical progression within and between paragraphs is heavily disrupted. The second paragraph attempts an overview and then immediately dives into confusing descriptions of nickel and zinc. The chronological flow is frequently broken, and referencing is unclear, such as shifting back and forth between months without a coherent narrative. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or inappropriately, with transitions like 'However', 'After that', and 'At last' appearing frequently but failing to connect ideas logically. Paragraphing is also poorly managed, as the body paragraphs mix different metals and timeframes indiscriminately. This level of organization aligns with Band 5 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple verbs and nouns such as 'prices', 'increase', 'rise', and 'decline'. The student also uses awkward or incorrect collocations, such as 'faces a huge neglection in its price' and 'slightly increase', demonstrating a lack of precision. There are notable word-choice errors that detract from the quality of the writing, such as 'dominated' instead of 'peaked' or 'stood'. While the range of vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey basic concepts about graphs, it lacks the flexibility and less common lexical items required for higher bands, placing it firmly at Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many complex structures are faulty or awkwardly phrased. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout the text, including tense confusion, missing articles, and awkward prepositional phrases (e.g., 'from initially the nickel faces', 'for couple', 'than rise again', 'at end'). Punctuation is also problematic, notably the unnecessary comma splice in the opening sentence: 'The line graph illustrates, the average monthly change...'. Although the meaning can mostly be understood despite the errors, the high frequency of grammatical inaccuracies means that error-free sentences are infrequent. This performance corresponds to a Band 5.

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