Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-27
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)
THIS LINE CHART ILLUSTRATES THE MONTHLY CHANGES IN THE PRICE OF THREE METALS - COPPER, NICKEL AND ZINC IN 2014.
OVERALL, IT IS QUITE EVIDENT IS THAT PRICE OF NICKEL SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINED IN FIRTS HAFE OF THE YEAR AND THEN RELATIVELY STABLE BETWEEN -2% TO 1%. FURTHERMORE, COPPER AND ZINC SHOWED RELATIVELY STABLE FIGURE DESPITE SOME FLUCTUATIONS.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TIMEFRAME, CHANGES IN COPPER, NICKEL AND ZINC REPORTED 2%, 6% AND 1%, RESPECIVELY. AMONG THESE, 6% FOR NICKEL WAS THE HIGHEST FIGURE, FOLLOWED BY COPPER, WHILE ZINC HAD THE LOWEST VALUE.
THEREAFTER, THE FIGURE FOR NICKEL DECILNED STEADILY FROM 6% TO -3%, REACKING AT ALL TIME LOW IN JUNE. IN CONTRAST, AFTER MAJOR SETBACK NICKEL GRADUALLY INCREASED FROM -3% TO 1%.
REGARDING ZINC, THE FIGURE FLUCTUATED MODERATELY BETWEEN -1% TO 2% OVER THE PERIOD. IT EVENTULLY FINISHED AT APPROXIMATELY FINISHED AT 2%. BY THE END OF THE TEAR, ZINC HAD OVERTAKEN NICKEL AND COPPER AND BECOME LEADING CATEGORY. AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, COPPER, NICKEL AND ZINC ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 1.5%, 1% AND 2%, RESPECTIVELY.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all major features of the graph, presenting an overview and reporting data for all three metals across 2014. The writer identifies the starting values, the notable drop in nickel during the middle of the year, and the subsequent recovery, along with general trends for copper and zinc. However, there are some minor misinterpretations of the visual data. For example, the writer states that nickel was relatively stable between -2% and 1% in the second half of the year, whereas the graph shows it remaining at -1% for several months before dropping to -2% and then recovering. Additionally, stating that zinc became the 'leading category' by the end of the year overlooks the nuance that the chart shows monthly percentage changes rather than absolute prices or cumulative performance. Nevertheless, the main trends are adequately captured and supported by figures.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then body paragraphs detailing the specific trends for each metal. Cohesive devices such as 'AT THE BEGINNING', 'THEREAFTER', and 'IN CONTRAST' are used to guide the reader through the data. However, paragraphing is somewhat disjointed due to the all-caps formatting, and referencing is occasionally clunky, such as 'the figure for nickel' being used repetitively. While logical progression is maintained throughout, the mechanical use of transitional phrases and formatting issues prevent it from reaching a higher band score.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe visual data, including terms such as 'FLUCTUATED MODERATELY', 'STEADILY', and 'RESPECTIVELY'. However, there are multiple spelling and typographical errors throughout the text, including 'FIRTS HAFE', 'DECILNED', 'REACKING', 'EVENTULLY', and 'TEAR'. Additionally, word choices like 'LEAVING CATEGORY' or awkward phrasing in describing trends show a lack of precision. While the vocabulary is adequate to communicate the main points, these lexical errors and typos restrict the score to a 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses ('ALTHOUGH SOME FLUCTUATIONS') and participial phrases. However, the text contains several grammatical and punctuation inaccuracies. Notably, the entire text is written in capital letters, which is inappropriate for formal academic writing. There are also missing articles and preposition errors, such as 'PRICE OF NICKEL' needing an article, and awkward phrasing like 'APPROXIMATELY FINISHED AT 2%'. Complex structures often contain minor errors that reduce overall grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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