Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-06
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 4.0)
The given multiline graph illustrates the changes in cost compared with previous month of three different metals in the year of 2014.
Overall, it is evident that the changes in prices was fluctuated throughout the year,although the overall trend was the increased.
To begin with, the price of nickel was the 6
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at only 52 words. Because the text is severely truncated, it addresses the task only minimally. The student manages to introduce the topic and attempt an overall statement, but the data is completely cut off after mentioning just one starting point for nickel. Consequently, no meaningful comparisons or comprehensive reporting of the main features are provided, resulting in a very low score for this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
Despite the extreme brevity of the text, there is a basic attempt to structure an introduction and an overall trend using standard phrases like 'Overall, it is evident that' and 'To begin with'. However, due to the lack of development and the sudden cutoff, overall progression cannot be established. Paragraphing is also incomplete as the text ends mid-sentence in the second paragraph. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and repetitive manner, reflecting a limited ability to organise information logically over a full response.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
The vocabulary used in the response is very basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'multiline graph', 'changes in cost', and 'three different metals' demonstrate an adequate range for very simple sentences, but attempts at more precise phrasing are hampered by word choice errors, such as using 'cost' instead of 'price' or 'prices was fluctuated' (which mixes lexical and grammatical issues). Spelling is generally correct for the few words attempted, but the limited output prevents the demonstration of a wider or more flexible lexical resource.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response shows a very limited range of sentence structures, consisting only of simple and basic complex forms. There are noticeable grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in 'changes in prices was fluctuated' and awkward prepositional phrasing in 'compared with previous month' (missing the article). Because the text is only 52 words long, it is difficult to fully assess grammatical control, but the frequent errors within these few sentences indicate a weak control of basic grammatical structures and punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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