Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29

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 graph illustrates the information about average monthly chnage in the prices of three metals of copper, nickel and zinc during 2014.

overall,average monthly change Nickel was highest percentage in januray while zinc was lowest percentage in Januray, copper was average in januray.

In January, nickel was the highest average monthly change in price, while zinc was the lowest figure. Copper, meanwhile, showed a moderate change, with its percentage lying between those of nickel and zinc.

In the remaining months, the prices of the three metals fluctuated slightly different. Nickel showed some significant changes, whereas copper and zinc experienced comparatively smaller variations. By the end of the year, the figures for all three metals had changed from their levels at the start of 2014.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to report the main features of the graph showing average monthly changes in copper, nickel, and zinc prices in 2014. However, the response suffers from significant limitations. First, it fails to meet the minimum word count of 150 words, stopping at only 124 words. Second, the overview and body paragraphs are repetitive, particularly the redundant mention of January data in both the second and third paragraphs ('overall, average monthly change Nickel was highest... In January, nickel was the highest...'). The summary of the remaining months is overly vague ('fluctuated slightly different'), omitting key trends such as nickel's steep drop in June or zinc's recovery towards the end of the year. This meets the descriptors for Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is organised into four brief paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body details. However, the progression is weak due to redundancy and a lack of clear cohesive links between sentences. The second and third paragraphs both attempt to introduce the January data awkwardly, resulting in a disjointed structure. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate, as seen in the phrase 'fluctuated slightly different'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the overall logical flow is disrupted by the repetition and brevity of the text. This aligns with Band 5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive. Words such as 'change', 'highest', 'lowest', and 'prices' are used frequently without much variety. There are noticeable spelling errors, such as 'chnage' instead of 'change' and 'januray' instead of 'January'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are very limited, and the range is just about adequate to convey the basic subject matter, but lacks the precision expected for a higher band. These limitations place the lexical resource at Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student uses a mix of simple and moderately complex sentence structures, such as 'while zinc was the lowest figure' and 'whereas copper and zinc experienced comparatively smaller variations'. However, there are grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing throughout, such as 'the graph illustrates the information about average monthly chnage' (unnecessary prepositional phrasing) and 'fluctuated slightly different' (adverbial error). Punctuation and capitalisation errors are also present, such as 'overall,average monthly change'. Despite these errors, meaning is generally not obscured, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.

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

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