Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-14

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 5.0)

The multi-line graph illustrates the average monthly fluctuation in the cost of three metals such as copper, nickel and zinc during 2014, also it marked change in price compared with previous month.

Firstly, nickel was stood at 6% in january, then it significantly declined to 4% in february month with further drop in march month at 1% and remained stable in next month, however it declined slightly to 0.5% in may month, followed by drastically went down in june afterwards it remained similar for few months and shows fluctuation and at last marked at 1% in december. Furthermore, there is number of fluctuation in changes of zinc prices which started from 1% in january and peaked at 3% in february and bottomed out in june and october at -1% and rest at 2% in last month of the year.

Moreover, zinc was started from 1% in january, next month it went up markedly at 3%, then it went down for few months until june and showed slight increase trend before downfall in october, followed by upward trend in november at 1.5% and in december it reached at 2%.

Overall, this chart reveals that nickel had major dropped in price changes, while copper and zinc showed little difference over the months.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the three metals and include several relevant figures, such as nickel’s 6% start and zinc’s rise to 3% in February. However, the report does not accurately or clearly cover the main features. The nickel account says it “remained similar for few months” and later “shows fluctuation,” without specifying its fall to -3% in June or its subsequent recovery; this is a major movement. Copper is barely reported, despite its generally modest changes and year-end rise. The overview that nickel “had major dropped” is also imprecise, while saying copper and zinc showed “little difference” overlooks their distinct movements. There is also a duplicated zinc description, which takes space from a clear, balanced summary of all three series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is some paragraphing, and the response uses sequencing signals such as “Firstly,” “Furthermore,” and “Overall.” These help indicate that the text is describing a sequence and then giving a summary. However, the information is not arranged into a clear progression: the second paragraph begins with nickel but shifts to zinc, and the third repeats the zinc account almost entirely. Copper is not given its own organised comparison. Some linking words are used mechanically, and the long nickel sentence joins many stages without clear separation, making the sequence difficult to follow. Grouping the metals or their shared rises and falls into focused paragraphs, and removing the repeated zinc description, would make the report more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “fluctuation,” “declined,” “peaked,” “bottomed out,” and “upward trend.” These choices show an attempt to describe changes rather than simply list figures, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some expressions are inaccurate or awkwardly collocated, however, such as “major dropped,” “number of fluctuation,” and “rest at 2%.” “Marked at 1%” is also unclear when describing a final value. Aim for more precise, natural combinations such as “a sharp fall,” “several fluctuations,” and “ended at 2%.” Take care to avoid repeating the same description of zinc; a broader range of accurate trend language would improve flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, using time clauses and contrast, for example, “then it significantly declined … with further drop” and “followed by upward trend.” However, errors in verb forms, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. Examples include “nickel was stood,” “zinc was started,” and “followed by drastically went down”; these need forms such as “nickel stood,” “zinc started,” and “was followed by a sharp fall.” Articles are also missing in phrases such as “in next month” and “for few months.” The opening sentence joins two independent ideas with a comma. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build shorter, controlled sentences before adding more complex clauses.

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

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