Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-01
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 4.5)
The line graph illustrates the average alternation in prices of three during 2014.
Overall, its evident for all three metals fluctuated considerably throughout 2014, with a nickel showed the most dramatic changes, while copper and zinc experienced relativily variations. all three are fluctuated over the period.
To begin with, nickel prices were very unstable, recorded the highest and increased nearly 7% in March, followed by the sharp declined to -3% at the month of June. later in the year nickel again rose significantly in July same as it is till September and again dropped in October. in addition, rose in end of the year.
In contrast, copper and zinc s
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at only 110 words and trailing off incomplete at the end of the third paragraph. While the writer attempts to present an overview and mention some features of nickel, copper, and zinc, the information is only minimally developed. Key trends are stated very generally without sufficient supporting data from the graph, and the description remains incomplete due to the truncation of the text. To achieve a higher band, the response must meet the word count requirement, present a fully developed overview of all major trends, and complete the description of all items shown in the graph.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response demonstrates some overall organisation with basic introductory framing and a few cohesive devices such as 'To begin with' and 'In contrast'. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the text breaks off mid-sentence, preventing a complete logical flow. Paragraphing is attempted, but the structure is severely limited by the truncated length. Reference pronouns are occasionally unclear, as seen in 'its evident for all three metals fluctuated'. To improve, the writer needs to ensure that ideas are fully developed and logically sequenced from beginning to end, with appropriate and accurate paragraph breaks and cohesive devices connecting all parts of the response.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. There are noticeable word choice errors and awkward phrasing throughout the text, such as 'average alternation' instead of 'average change', 'a nickel showed' instead of 'nickel showed', and 'relativily variations' instead of 'relative variations'. Spelling and word formation errors also appear, such as 'declined' instead of 'decline'. The range of vocabulary is restricted, forcing the writer to repeat basic terms like 'fluctuated' and 'rose'. To reach a higher level, the student should expand their lexical repertoire to include more precise descriptive terms, improve word forms and collocations, and eliminate basic lexical errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The grammatical structures used are very limited, consisting mostly of simple and attempted complex sentences that contain frequent errors. There are notable issues with verb forms, tense usage, and clause structure, such as 'its evident for all three metals fluctuated' (missing subject/verb agreement and preposition error), 'recorded the highest and increased nearly 7%' (awkward coordination), and 'same as it is till September'. Punctuation is also erratic, with missing capitalisation at the start of sentences like 'all three are fluctuated' and 'in addition, rose'. To improve, the writer must work on basic sentence construction, ensure accurate verb tenses, and reduce frequent grammatical errors that hinder readability.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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