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 line graph displays the average monthly variation in the prices of three matels, particularly copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.

Overall, the change in the price of nickle decreased significantly, while the variation in the amount of zinc increased slightly. Meanwhile, the proportion that chnages the price of copper fluctuates over the period.

The price of copper was at around 6% in the month of january, which decreased considerably at around -3% until the month of june, and this figure went up again in december to around 1%. In contast, the price of the zinc was at the 1% of the proportion that went slightly up in february to alomost 3%, and after this, this figure decreased significantly to 0% and then rose gradually to 2%.

However, the proportion of the nikel was faced fluctuation across all 12 months, starting with 2% of the proportion in the month of january, then fluctuates and went to around 2% again in the month of december.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response identifies all three metals and gives an overview, but the main features are not reported accurately enough. The most serious error is attributing the January figure of about 6% and the fall to around −3% by June to copper; these are nickel’s values. Copper began near 2% and stayed close to zero or slightly positive for much of the year. The account of zinc is closer, although its early rise and later fall are simplified. The final paragraph also misidentifies nickel’s January value and describes its movement as fluctuation rather than highlighting its sharp decline and partial recovery. Select the key trends correctly and compare the metals explicitly to make the summary more complete and relevant.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the data. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “In contrast,” and “However” help signal the direction of the discussion. This coherent structure supports the reader, although the comparisons are not always easy to follow because the copper and nickel descriptions are assigned to the wrong series. Some transitions also suggest contrasts without developing them clearly, and the final paragraph repeats the idea of fluctuation rather than adding a distinct comparison. To improve, group the metals by their trends and use references such as “this figure” only when the series or value is unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant task vocabulary, including “variation,” “decreased,” “rose gradually,” and “fluctuates,” so the general topic is understandable. However, word choice and collocation are often imprecise: “the proportion that changes the price” and “the price was at the 1% of the proportion” do not naturally describe monthly percentage changes. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “matels,” “nickle,” “chnages,” “contast,” and “alomost.” These errors, together with repeated use of “proportion” and “figure,” limit precision and sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret. Use standard terms such as “monthly price change” and “percentage change,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is some variety in sentence structure, including a complex overview sentence with “while” and a contrast introduced by “In contrast.” Most sentences remain understandable, but several grammatical patterns are faulty. For example, “the proportion that chnages the price of copper fluctuates” has an unclear clause structure, while “the proportion of the nikel was faced fluctuation” uses an incorrect passive construction. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in “then fluctuates and went,” and “the price of the zinc was at the 1%” has an awkward article and preposition pattern. Aim for straightforward, accurate constructions such as “Nickel fell sharply, then recovered slightly,” before attempting more complex sentences.

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

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