Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-13

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 chart compares the mean monthly changes in the cost of three types of metal throughout 2014. Looking at an overall perspective, it is apparent that nickel prices was highest in january after that fluctuated and became cheap at the end of year, while zinc and copper prices fluctuated throughout the time period.

To begin with, the cost of nickel was at 6% in January and after that dropped to 1% in March and remained same for two months and then plummet to negative values. Moreover, after fluctuation the price reached to 1% in November and remained stable for one month. In addition, the price of Zinc at 1% in January and then moved up to 3% in Feburary and then went down steadily. As the cost changed in this time duration and then reached 2% in December.

In contrast, the value of copper was at 2% at the start of the year and then fluctuated in a whole period. The cost of copper after the vatriation reached at 1% in July and remained same for three months. Furthermore, after the continous variation of cost after every month reached just under the 2% at the end of year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad pattern: nickel begins at the highest level, falls sharply, and later recovers, while copper and zinc also change over the year. Several figures are reported accurately, including nickel at 6% in January and 1% in March, and copper at 2% initially and 1% in July. However, the overview is not fully precise: nickel did not simply become “cheap at the end”; it recovered to about 1% in November and December. Some key comparisons are missing, especially the metals’ shared decline around June and their recovery in the final months. The description of zinc’s later movement is also vague. Select the most significant turning points and compare the series more explicitly to make the summary more complete and clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to separate discussion of nickel, zinc and copper. This gives the reader a general route through the information, and phrases such as “To begin with” and “In contrast” signal transitions. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated “and then” constructions, and the zinc discussion is inserted into the nickel paragraph rather than developed clearly. Some references are unclear, as in “As the cost changed in this time duration and then reached 2%,” where the subject and sequence are difficult to follow. Grouping the metals more deliberately by shared trends—such as the mid-year fall and year-end recovery—and using clearer links would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuated,” “remained stable,” “dropped,” and “negative values,” so the main trends are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “throughout the time period.” However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward: “became cheap” does not describe a percentage change, “plummet” is not correctly formed in “then plummet,” and “after the variation” is vague. Spelling errors such as “Feburary,” “vatriation,” and “continous” are noticeable. Aim for precise language for movement and change, and check spelling and collocations; for example, describe a figure as falling below zero rather than becoming cheap.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be understood. Some clauses are linked to show sequence, for example, “the cost of nickel was at 6% in January and after that dropped to 1% in March.” However, there are several errors in sentence structure and verb forms. In “nickel prices was highest,” the subject and verb do not agree, while “then plummet” needs a past-tense form to match the account of 2014. The sentence beginning “As the cost changed…” is an incomplete or poorly connected clause, and “the price reached to 1%” uses an incorrect grammatical pattern. Use complete sentences, maintain past tense, and check agreement and verb patterns when describing changes.

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