Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-11

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 provided line graph compares the average monthly change in the prices of three metal (Copper, Nickel and Zinc) in 2014.

Overall, it is cleared that there was a great fluctuation in the prices of all the three metals in comparison with the last year. Except zinc, other two metals lost their value at the end of the year.

Nickel experienced 6% of price hike as compared to last year in January, before a constant fall to -3% of price change in June, then experienced a slight rise to -1% in July, remained same till September and again a slight dip to -2 in October and 1% at the end of year.

The other two metals (copper and zinc) share almost same fluctuation throughout the year. Started from 1% change in zinc price and 2% of copper. Zinc experienced a highest rise of 3% in whole year then decreased to intersect the copper in June at less then -1% hike, by the end of the year both are at between 1% to 2% change in price.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the three metals and include relevant headline features, especially nickel’s sharp fall from January to June and the metals’ recovery towards year-end. However, the response only partially reports the graph: the overview says copper and nickel lost value “at the end of the year,” although both finish with positive monthly changes, and it does not clearly distinguish monthly change from overall price value. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: nickel rises to 1% in November and remains there in December, while the account says “at the end of year” without specifying this; copper’s movement is also only briefly covered. The comparison that copper and zinc had “almost same fluctuation” overlooks their different early-year peaks. Select the main trends more precisely and support the overview with accurate comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing nickel and the other metals. This gives the reader a generally coherent route through the information, and sequencing phrases such as “before,” “then,” and “by the end of the year” help show change over time. However, progression is sometimes weakened by compressed or incomplete statements, particularly “Started from 1% change in zinc price and 2% of copper,” which lacks a clear subject and verb. The final paragraph also combines several comparisons without clearly separating zinc’s peak, the June low, and the year-end figures. Use complete topic sentences and organise the details in a more consistent chronological or comparative order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of graph vocabulary, including “fluctuation,” “price hike,” “constant fall,” “slight rise,” and “dip,” so the main movements are usually understandable. There are also attempts to vary how changes are described. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for this task: “lost their value” suggests an overall fall in price, whereas the graph shows monthly percentage changes; “great fluctuation” is too broad; and “intersect the copper” is not a natural way to describe the lines meeting. “Hike” and “rise” are also repeated without consistently precise phrasing. Choose terms that describe percentage changes accurately, such as “monthly increase,” “decline,” or “recovered,” and use natural collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences to describe sequences, for example the sentence beginning “Nickel experienced 6%...” and continuing through its later movements. This shows an effort to connect events rather than relying only on short statements. However, control is uneven, and several sentences contain errors that make the relationships between ideas less clear. “The other two metals ... share almost same fluctuation” needs an article and a more suitable verb form, while “Started from...” is a sentence fragment. There are also problems with articles, plurals, and sentence construction in “all the three metals” and “a highest rise.” Practise building complete sentences with accurate subjects and verbs, and check articles and singular/plural forms when editing.

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