Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The graph illustrates the monthly change in prices of three metals during 2014.
Overall, there were three metals. Nickel was in the leading position in January 2014.However, its started decreasing but recovered at the end of the year. Copper and Zinc shows a gradual fluctuation during the period of 12 months.
During the start of 2014, Nickel prices were very high of 6 percent.However, itsstarted falling and touched -3 percent in June.Its started recovering and reached at -1 percent in July and remain stable for next 3 months but recovered again and reached at 1 percent at the end of 2014.
Copper were at the 2 percent in January and starts falling and touched 0 percent in June. It shows fluctuation during the whole time period of one year. Zinc were at the 1 percent in January. It had a sharp rise in next month and reached at 3 percent in one month. However, it started decreasing and touched -1 percent in June and remained stable for next 3 months. In last two months it started increasing and reached at 2 percent in december
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to address the task by describing the overall trends of the three metals shown in the graph. An overview is provided, noting that there were three metals and outlining general trajectory patterns. However, the overview is rather simplistic ("Overall, there were three metals"), and some key features and comparisons are missed or underdeveloped. For instance, the response focuses heavily on sequential listing of monthly figures rather than synthesising the data effectively. While some specific figures from the graph are cited accurately (e.g., nickel starting at 6 percent and dropping to -3 percent in June), there are several inaccuracies and awkward phrasings regarding data points. These limitations place the response within the Band 5 to 6 range, meeting the criteria for addressing the prompt adequately while lacking fully developed analytical depth.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text is arranged into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the body details. However, logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak cohesive devices. Sentences are often disjointed, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the sudden shifts between sentences without smooth transitions. The paragraphing structure itself is attempted, but internal cohesion feels mechanical rather than fluent. While the reader can follow the general flow of information, the lack of sophisticated cohesive devices and occasional abrupt transitions keep this criterion at a Band 5.5 level.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like "started decreasing", "touched", and "reached". There are noticeable lexical and word formation errors, such as "its started" (possessive versus contraction confusion), "Copper were" (subject-verb agreement error), and awkward collocations. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary items related to data trends (e.g., "fluctuation", "stable"), the frequency of errors in word choice and basic grammar impairs precision. The range is minimally adequate for the task, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures, consisting mainly of simple sentences and repetitive subject-verb-complement patterns. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including punctuation errors (missing spaces after periods, such as "2014.However"), tense inconsistencies, and subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., "Copper were at the 2 percent", "Zinc were at the 1 percent", "itsstarted falling"). Complex sentences are rarely attempted, and when structures become more elaborate, they contain frequent errors that require the reader to slow down. This corresponds to a Band 5 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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