Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-28
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 chart illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc during 2014.
Overall, it is evident that a significant change can be seen in the given bar graph. Nickel and zince had declined in monthly change in prices, but copper have fluctuated throughout the period.
In january month,the percentage change in prices of nickel had the highest value at 6%, followed by copper at just 2% and zinc at only 1%. Over the next five months, the prices of three metals had declined at around 0.9%, 0.5% and -0.5 in may respectively.
In june month, the nickel was dramatically declined which is the lowest value over the year, which is -3%, and nickel and copper contributed at around -0.4% and -1% respectively. In addition, all the three metals had upward and downward trends in next six months. However, the proportion of copper, nickel and zince at 2%, 1.6% and 1% in the end of month, respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address the task by describing the main features of the line chart showing the monthly percentage price changes of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014. However, the overview provided contains significant inaccuracies, misidentifying the chart as a 'bar graph' and incorrectly stating that nickel and zinc 'had declined in monthly change in prices' overall, when in fact they experienced both positive and negative fluctuations throughout the year. Furthermore, the body paragraphs contain confused data points and phrasing, such as 'In january month, the percentage change in prices of nickel had the highest value at 6%', but subsequent figures become garbled with incorrect decimals and mixed-up series comparisons. The attempt to summarise data is undermined by poor data reporting and a flawed overview, placing this response at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is structured into an introduction and body paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently disrupted by confusing statements and awkward phrasing. Cohesive devices are attempted, such as 'Overall', 'In january month', and 'In addition', but they are often used mechanically or inaccurately. Paragraphing is present, but the internal cohesion of sentences within paragraphs fails due to grammatical disruptions and unclear referencing (e.g., 'nickel and copper contributed at around -0.4% and -1% respectively' where the data does not align logically). There is no clear overall progression of ideas, resulting in a score of 5.0 for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors that occasionally impede communication. The student attempts some less common terms and data-related vocabulary, such as 'fluctuated', 'proportion', and 'dramatically declined', but these are often collocated incorrectly or misused (e.g., 'zince' instead of zinc, 'In january month', 'the proportion of copper, nickel and zince at 2%, 1.6% and 1% in the end of month'). There are also vocabulary slips such as referring to a line chart as a 'bar graph'. These lexical limitations and errors place the response firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions (e.g., 'copper have fluctuated', 'the prices of three metals had declined at around', 'nickel was dramatically declined', 'at the end of month'). Articles are frequently misused or omitted. While the meaning can sometimes be deciphered, the frequency of grammatical errors causes difficulty for the reader and prevents the response from reaching Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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