Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-12

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 below illustrate the average monthly change in the prices of three metals copper, nickel and zinc during the year 2014.

Overall, in the beginning of the year the price of nickel was higher than copper and zinc, while the prices of copper and zinc were lying nearly to each other. We have seen that the prices of metals are decreasing continously. In the month of october nickel has lesser price following zinc, but the price of copper has edged up.

Admittedly, copper has high price in the month of january but with the time we show decreasing trend and obtain negative price value in the month of may and june, though eventually increased up and finally reached the price greater than 1% at the end of year.

To conclude, both nickel and zinc also showed fall in trend, while in the month of june nickel reached at lowest downward point of negative price, while zinc obtained negative one point. Thus in the month of december nickel and zinc gained positive price value with zinc approaching higher price than copper and nickel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and give an overview of their broad movement, including nickel’s early lead and the metals’ negative changes around mid-year. However, several details are inaccurate or unclear: copper is described as negative in May and June, but it is also negative in July? The chart shows negative values only in May and June, so this is broadly correct; more importantly, copper’s January change is not the highest, as nickel is much higher. The claim that prices decrease continuously is also too general because all three rise again later, and zinc finishes above the other two, not merely approaching a higher value. Select key turning points and compare the series more precisely to make the summary more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and overview to comments on copper and then nickel and zinc. This gives the reader some sense of organisation. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview says prices decrease continuously, while later paragraphs describe recoveries, and “To conclude” introduces further data rather than summarising the main picture. Connections such as “Admittedly” do not clearly express the relationship between the points that follow. Grouping the information into a clear overview and two chronological comparison paragraphs, with accurate links such as “by contrast” and “in the final two months,” would make the sequence easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “average monthly change,” “negative,” “trend,” and “edged up,” and the reader can generally understand which metals you are discussing. However, the range is limited and several choices or combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “lesser price,” “negative price value,” “lowest downward point,” and “gained positive price value.” Repetition of “price” and “trend” also limits flexibility. Aim to describe percentage changes rather than implying actual price levels, and use standard chart language consistently. More accurate collocations would make the comparisons clearer and reduce the effort required to interpret your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “while” and “though,” but control is inconsistent and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “The line graph below illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, and “the prices of copper and zinc were lying nearly to each other” has an incorrect verb pattern. In “with the time we show decreasing trend,” the sentence structure and article use are faulty; “nickel reached at lowest downward point” also has an incorrect preposition and missing article. Some sentences are understandable, but complex constructions often become difficult to follow. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and simpler clause patterns before adding more complexity.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.