Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-02

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 charges of three metals throughout 2014.

Overall, Nickel and Zinc experienced a significant fluctuations, while copper had not change substantially over the year.

In details, Nickel price experienced a dramatic fall form 6% change in January to 1% in march. After march, its change remained constant followed by a slight decline in may. it then witnessed a substantial decrease from around 0.5% to -3% in jaune and it recovered relatively in the next month, reaching -1% change. After July, the percent of change in price remained constant over 3 months. However, it fell again, reaching -2% in October. finally at the end of the year, it experienced a rise , reaching 1% change in November and it then remained constant until the end of the year.

The change of price in copper was not significantly high during 2014. For instance, it started with 2% in January, it experienced then a gradual fall, reaching almost 0.5 in April and -0.5 in jaune. After Jaune, the change in price increased, reaching 1% in July.

Over the next three months, its change remained constant. At the last three months of the year, it initially declined followed by rising, reaching almost 1.5% change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response attempts to address the prompt by summarising the line graph showing monthly price changes for three metals in 2014. However, it sits at a lower band because the interpretation of the data contains significant inaccuracies. The student frequently misreads the graph, such as describing the percentage change as absolute price levels ('Nickel price experienced a dramatic fall form 6% change... to 1%') and misinterpreting the direction or magnitude of fluctuations, particularly for copper. Furthermore, the overview is overly simplistic and fails to capture the broader trends effectively. To reach a higher level, the response must accurately report the visual data without confusing percentage changes with actual prices, and provide a clearer, more comprehensive summary of the main features and comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates some organisation with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a rudimentary overall summary. However, progression is limited because the internal structuring of paragraphs relies heavily on mechanical transitions such as 'After march', 'it then witnessed', and 'After July'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information lacks logical flow, resulting in a somewhat disjointed narrative. Additionally, referencing is occasionally unclear, making it hard to follow which metal or data point is being discussed. To improve, the student should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus that advances the description logically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for basic communication, featuring some attempts at less common items such as 'significant fluctuations', 'dramatic fall', and 'substantial decrease'. However, lexical control is inconsistent. There are noticeable word choice and spelling errors, such as 'charges' instead of 'changes', 'jaune' instead of June, and 'form' instead of from. Furthermore, collocation is occasionally awkward, such as 'percent of change in price remained constant over 3 months'. To achieve a higher score, the student needs to expand their range of vocabulary, use terms related to graphs and data with greater precision, and eliminate basic spelling and word-form errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response employs a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, attempting constructions with temporal clauses and past tense verbs. However, grammatical accuracy is limited by frequent errors in basic structures, subject-verb agreement, and capitalization (e.g., 'copper had not change substantially', 'Nickel price experienced', 'march', 'may'). Punctuation is also weak, with run-on sentences and comma splices, such as 'For instance, it started with 2% in January, it experienced then a gradual fall'. To improve, the writer must ensure better control over verb forms, maintain consistent capitalization for proper nouns and months, and avoid comma splices by properly separating independent clauses.

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

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