Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-05

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 provides information about the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc during 2014.

Overall, Nickel has highest percentage in price compared with copper and zinc. However, copper is slightly decreased after April month, and zinc are fluctuating as it was high in starting months and then gradually decreased in June. and again, rose in November.

Looking first at, the highest price of nickel was 6% in January and then totally fell about -3% in the month of June, however, it became stable for three months from July to September. Furthermore, zinc price was 1% in January and increased in February after that slowly its price would be declined continuously about -1%. zinc prices are fluctuating ups and down in every month.

In contrast, copper rate was about 2% in starting month, and then prices are lead as decreased after January about -1%, additionally, it remained stable in July to September same as zinc price was stable in those 3 months.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by outlining some main features and making basic comparisons of the three metals during 2014, fulfilling the minimum word requirement. However, the development is limited and partially inaccurate. For instance, the statement that nickel has the highest percentage in price overall or that it 'became stable for three months' oversimplifies and misinterprets parts of the fluctuating trend shown on the graph. The overview is overly simplistic, and some ideas are under-developed or vague, such as claiming zinc prices 'are fluctuating ups and down in every month' without specifying key movements. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to select clearer key trends and provide more precise comparisons backed accurately by the visual data, avoiding sweeping generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text demonstrates some organisation with an attempt at paragraphing and basic introductory and concluding structural transitions such as 'Overall', 'Looking first at', and 'In contrast'. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the logical flow is disrupted by mechanical or inaccurate cohesive devices. For example, sentences often begin awkwardly with phrases like 'Looking first at, the highest price...' or disjointed transitions like 'and again, rose in November.' Referencing is sometimes unclear, and punctuation errors around conjunctions (such as starting sentences with lowercase letters or stray commas) impede smooth reading. To improve, the writer should ensure that cohesive devices are used accurately and that ideas are linked in a logical, step-by-step sequence without abrupt shifts.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate to convey basic information about the chart, such as 'average monthly change', 'prices', 'percentage', and 'stable'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, including 'copper rate' instead of 'price', 'totally fell' instead of 'dropped sharply', and 'prices are lead as decreased'. Additionally, word formation and collocation are weak in phrases like 'after April month' or 'in starting month'. These inaccuracies occasionally cause difficulty or confusion for the reader. To achieve a higher score, the writer must expand their vocabulary range and use less common lexical items with greater precision regarding collocation and word form.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple statements mixed with faulty attempts at complex sentences. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('zinc are fluctuating'), tense confusion ('copper is slightly decreased', 'price would be declined continuously'), and missing articles ('in starting month'). Punctuation is also problematic, with sentences inappropriately joined or fragmented. These frequent errors cause strain and difficulty for the reader. To progress, the writer needs to demonstrate better control over basic grammatical structures, accurate verb tenses for describing data trends, and consistent error-free sentence construction.

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