Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-30
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 the average monthly change in the prices of three metals namely- copper, nickel, and zinc during in 2014.
Overall, the three metals fluctuated throughout the period, however nickel was recorded the highest proportion of average monthly whreas the copper encountered the least price.
Furthermore, nickel experienced the highest average monthly at exactly 6% in January, decreased slightly at exactly 4% in February, remained stable at 1% in March and August, 0.9% in May, and drop in 3% in June. In July to September the figure increased slightly at -1%, declined gradually at -2% in October, and rose substatially at 1% in November and December.
On the other hand, Copper decreased consistently accounted for 2% in January, 1% in February, about 0% in March and April, and in May and June remained the same average about -1%. Moreover, remained stable at exactly 1% in July to September, 0.5% in October and November, and 1.9 in December. While, in zinc at 1% in January and drop in February to June, remained stable in July to Septembenr at -1.5%, declined slightly at -1 in October, and soar at 1.5% in November, and exactly 2% 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 attempts to address all parts of the prompt by describing the overall trends and individual movements of the three metals. However, there are significant inaccuracies in data interpretation. For example, the student states that nickel was recorded as the 'highest proportion of average monthly whreas the copper encountered the least price,' which misreads the percentage change metric shown on the graph. Furthermore, several specific data points are reported incorrectly or confused with negative/positive signs (e.g., stating the figure for nickel increased slightly at -1% in July to September). While an overview is attempted, the flaws in data reporting push this response into Band 5 territory.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is structured into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the metals. This shows a basic attempt at paragraphing and overall organisation. However, the progression of ideas is frequently disrupted by confusing phrasing and awkward transitions such as 'On the other hand, Copper decreased consistently accounted for...'. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, and referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where sentences are dense and hard to follow. This aligns with Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is somewhat limited and repetitive. The student attempts some less common items such as 'fluctuated', 'substantially', and 'consistently', but these are frequently marred by word-choice and collocation errors (e.g., 'highest proportion of average monthly', 'encountered the least price', 'drop in 3%', 'soar at 1.5%'). Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical inaccuracies cause some strain for the reader, fitting the Band 5 criteria.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are multiple grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing prepositions, incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'was recorded the highest', 'remain stable at 1% in March and August, 0.9% in May, and drop in 3%'), and poor clause integration. While communication is not entirely obscured, these frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a Band 5 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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