Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-08

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 line graph illustrate the % change in price compared with previous month of metals such as copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.

Overall, nickel price more compared to copper and zinc in starting of year, however the end of period nickel price dropped compare to copper and zinc.

The figuar began, nickel price is started at 6% in january. it fallen sharply to 4% in February then marginally decreased 1% and remained same in april then fall 0.5% just before reached in -3 in june. After price increased -1% and it remained same untill septamber and decreaed -2 before increased 1% in end of the period which showed a last rank comared to other.

In shark contrast, copper price started with 2% dramtically decreased untill june -3% then is increased countinously 1% remained same for 3 months and slightly decreased and peacked at 1.5%. Meanwhile zinc began with lowest price 1% and increased 3% in february then it decline drametically -1% in june and increased -0.5% and remained same for 90 days. it slightly decreased -1% just before increased drametically at 2% in december which make highest price compare to other.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify all three metals and describe several important movements, including nickel’s high start, its sharp fall to a low in June, and the metals’ recovery towards the end of the year. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: nickel did not finish below both other metals, as it ended at about 1%, while copper was around 1.5% and zinc 2%. There is also a major factual error in saying copper fell to −3% in June; it was about −0.5%. Some descriptions, such as “increased −1%,” make the direction of change difficult to understand. To strengthen the response, give a concise, accurate overview of the main contrasts and check each reported figure against the graph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to descriptions of the three metals, and phrases such as “Meanwhile” help signal a comparison. However, progression within the body is difficult to follow because several long sentences combine many monthly changes without clear punctuation or grouping. The paragraph beginning “The figuar began” shifts through nickel’s figures and ends with an unclear comparison, while the final paragraph moves between copper and zinc in a similarly crowded way. Some linking expressions, including “In shark contrast,” do not clearly establish the intended relationship. Organise the details into clearer stages—early-year changes, mid-year lows, and late-year recovery—and use accurate, simple transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of trend vocabulary, including “sharply,” “marginally,” “remained,” and “dramatically,” which is relevant to describing a line graph. However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive, sometimes obscuring the data: “nickel price more,” “increased −1%,” and “peacked at 1.5%” do not express the intended meaning clearly. There are also frequent spelling errors, such as “figuar,” “untill,” “decreaed,” and “dramatically” misspelled as “dramaticaly.” Use precise graph language consistently—for example, “rose to,” “fell to,” and “remained stable at”—and check spelling and forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors often make relationships between figures hard to interpret. Examples include “The line graph illustrate,” where subject–verb agreement is incorrect, and “it fallen sharply,” which has an incorrect verb form. Several clauses are joined without clear sentence boundaries, as in the long account of nickel’s monthly changes, and punctuation and capitalisation are unreliable (“january,” “it” after a full stop). Articles and sentence patterns are also frequently missing or faulty, as in “nickel price is started.” Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build shorter sentences around one clear trend at a time, then add complex clauses only when their grammar is secure.

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