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 graph depicts the average monthly alter in the prices of three mentals in 2014.

Overall, nickel had the highest proportion of change in the price at the starting, which fluctuated the most and then became the smallest among others at the end. As compared to this, zinc and copper fluctuated a bit steadily.

Firsly, copper had the bigest change which was 6 percent in the start of a month. It declined dramatically to the lowest point of -3 percent in the middle of month, before bounced back gradually to 1 percent. Furthermore, zinc had only 1 percent change in price at the beginning of the month. It incresed to 3 percent before falling down gradally to -1 percent in the middle and then climbed back to 2 percent at the end.

Moreover, copper had 2 percent change in price at the starting before decreasing slowly to belw 0 percent and then increased slowly to above 1 percent at the end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response makes an attempt to summarise the graph and gives a broad overview that nickel fluctuated most, while copper and zinc were steadier. However, the account contains major inaccuracies that prevent it from reporting the main features reliably. The figures for copper are repeatedly confused with nickel: copper began at about 2%, not 6%, and its lowest point was around -0.5%, not -3%; those figures describe nickel. The response also says nickel became the smallest at the end, although it finished at about 1%, while copper was around 1.5%. Some correct details about zinc are included, but the comparison and coverage of the series remain limited. Select accurate key trends and compare all three metals clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic paragraph structure, with an overview followed by details, and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Furthermore,” and “Moreover” show an attempt to connect information. However, progression is weakened by the order and content of the details: the first body paragraph discusses copper and zinc, while the final paragraph returns to copper, leaving nickel’s trend without a clear, accurate account. The overview also conflicts with the later description because it identifies nickel as the most volatile, but then assigns its figures to copper. Use one paragraph per clear comparison or group, and avoid repeating a series. Clearer sequencing would make the information easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant vocabulary for describing movement, including “declined,” “fluctuated,” “climbed back,” and “at the end.” This gives it a minimally adequate range for the task. However, several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, such as “mentals,” “alter,” “Firsly,” “bigest,” “incresed,” and “gradally.” Some combinations are also unnatural, including “highest proportion of change” and “falling down.” Prefer standard graph language and check spelling carefully; for example, “monthly change,” “metals,” “largest increase,” and “fell” would communicate the intended meaning more directly. Accurate vocabulary is especially important when distinguishing the three series.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, including clauses linked with “before” and “which.” Most of the intended meaning can be understood, but control is uneven. For example, “before bounced back” needs a participle (“before bouncing back”) or a finite clause (“before it bounced back”), and “then increased slowly to above 1 percent” is missing “by” or a clear subject. The opening overview also has an awkward sentence structure in “nickel had the highest proportion of change in the price at the starting, which fluctuated the most.” Use complete, clearly formed clauses and check verb forms, articles, and prepositions. More accurate complex sentences would improve clarity.

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.