Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given graph illustrates information about the price changes in three metals copper, Nickel, and zinc every month in 2014.

Overall, it can be seen that the price of Nickel metals decreased every month of the year while other two metals prices fluctuated. While the percentage of copper and Nickel where comparatively the same at the month of November.

To begin with, The percentage of Nickel started from 6 which were the highest number of all three categories at the beginning of the year and dropped instantly and stood at the percentage of minus three at the month of june and then started upward trend and reached to 1% at the end of the year.

Furthermore, The proportion of zinc immense with 1% at the starting of the year and rised to 3% at the month of February, after that started a decline trend and fluctuated and at the end of period stood at 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the prompt by summarising the main features of the chart, but there are notable inaccuracies in reading the data. For instance, the claim that 'the price of Nickel metals decreased every month of the year' is factually incorrect, as nickel experienced increases in January, February, March, April, May, November, and December. Similarly, the overview contains flawed generalisations. While some key trends and figures are mentioned—such as nickel starting at 6% and dropping to -3% in June—the factual errors regarding the data pull the score down. However, the student does select relevant features and attempts comparisons, fulfilling the basic requirements of Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organised into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. There is an attempt at logical progression; however, the cohesion is often mechanical or faulty. Transition phrases like 'To begin with' and 'Furthermore' are used, but referencing and logical links between sentences can be confusing. For example, the overview contains a confusing fragment ('While the percentage of copper and Nickel where comparatively the same at the month of November') which lacks a main clause. Paragraphing is present, but overall cohesion lacks smooth control.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic summary, featuring terms like 'proportion', 'percentage', 'fluctuated', and 'upward trend'. However, there is a limited range and noticeable errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'immense' instead of 'commenced' or 'increased', 'rised' instead of 'rose', and lowercase metal names in places. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy, placing the response firmly in Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures often contain errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('other two metals prices fluctuated', 'where comparatively') and awkward phrasing ('stood at the percentage of minus three at the month of june'). Punctuation and capitalisation are occasionally inconsistent (e.g., 'Nickel'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent the response from reaching Band 6.

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

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