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 graph illustrates fluctuation in prices of three elements copper, nickel and zinc in the year 2014.
Overall, it is immediately clear that price every element dropped significantly through out the year and kept oscillating. However, Nickel which was most expensive at start became most cheap reaching the end of the year.
In January the price for nickel varied 6% as compared to the previous month. Then plummeted to 1% after two month and remained stationed only to drop further to -3% in June. It observed a slight increase and the remained stable at -1%. after a dramatic fall in October rose to 1% till December.
In contrast, zinc and copper were at 1% and 2% respectively. The price for zinc increased while copper lost popularity only after June its price started to increase. On the other hand ratio for zinc also significantly dropped below copper reaching June and remained less expensive than copper till October. After which it spiked to 2% reaching December. Meanwhile copper price fell below zinc from October onward and was recorded 1.5% in December.
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 addresses the task by summarising the main features of the line graph regarding copper, nickel, and zinc prices in 2014. However, the overview provided in the second paragraph is factually inaccurate, as the prices did not 'drop significantly throughout the year and kept oscillating' in a downward trend overall, nor did nickel become the cheapest by the end of the year (nickel ended at +1%, whereas copper ended at +1.5% and zinc at +2%, and all started much higher). The body paragraphs contain several inaccurate readings of the chart data, such as stating nickel varied by 6% in January (the graph shows +6% change compared to the previous month, which is the correct metric, but other figures like 'remained stationed' or misinterpreting the relative prices of zinc and copper are confused). The data reporting is somewhat imprecise and hard to follow, leading to a Band 5.0 performance for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has an introduction, a brief overview, and body paragraphs, showing an attempt at organisation. However, the logical progression is hindered by confusing transitions and unclear referencing. For instance, sentences like 'On the other hand ratio for zinc also significantly dropped below copper reaching June' are grammatically tangled and make it difficult to follow the relationships between the data series. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly ('In contrast', 'Mean while'), leading to a score of 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'plummeted', 'oscillating', 'stabilised' (implied by 'stable'), and 'spiked'. However, there are numerous inappropriate word choices and collocations, such as 'price every element', 'most cheap', 'remained stationed', and 'lost popularity'. Furthermore, spelling and word form errors occur ('Mean while', 'ratio for zinc'). The lexical range is adequate for the task but limited by inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, which place it firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, missing prepositions, and incomplete clauses, such as 'Then plummeted to 1% after two month and remained stationed only to drop further to -3% in June' (missing subject) and 'after a dramatic fall in October rose to 1% till December'. Punctuation is also neglected in places, and sentences often run together without clear subjects or connectors. These frequent errors impede smooth reading, corresponding to Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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