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 line graph illustrates the average monthy change of three metals in the prices during 2014.

Overall, Nickel was on the highest percentage of change in price by 6% and kept decreasing after that whereas Zinc increased in the month of February but that also steadily went down.

Initially, Zinc had 1% change in the month of January and increased to 3% in Febrauary however after that it starting falling down to 1% again in March. It showed the continous decrease till june to -1% and then again started rising from that month going towards september but again went by a bit decrease then went up to 2% in December.

, Nickel was on the higestest price range by 6% but gradually dropping till June and coming at -3%. it started going up again but still remained on the less price list than before till December. The same was the case with copper, it was at 2% and kept falling till December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify relevant overall features, including nickel’s January peak at about 6% and the metals’ declines around mid-year. However, the summary only partially covers the graph: copper receives little accurate detail, and the overview’s claim that nickel “kept decreasing” overlooks its recovery to positive figures in November and December. Some trends are also misreported: zinc falls to about -1% in June, then remains negative through October before rising, rather than rising towards September. Develop a clearer overview of the shared mid-year downturn and late-year recovery, and compare the metals more precisely across the year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an opening, an overview and separate discussion of zinc and nickel, so there is some organisation. However, progression is uneven: copper is added briefly at the end rather than being integrated into a clear comparison, and the overview does not guide the later details consistently. Linking phrases such as “however,” “after that” and “again” are repeated and sometimes make the sequence difficult to follow, especially in the zinc paragraph. The comma beginning the final paragraph also disrupts the transition. Group the information into a clear overview and logically ordered comparisons, using time markers and references consistently.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “percentage,” “increased,” “decrease” and “gradually,” which helps communicate basic movements. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “highest percentage of change,” “falling down,” and “less price list.” Repetition of “started” and “went” also makes the account less precise. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “monthy,” “Febrauary,” “continous” and “higestest,” which reduce the accuracy of the presentation. Use standard trend language and check spelling carefully; for example, describe a figure as reaching a peak or falling to a low, rather than referring to a “price list.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences with time clauses and contrast, for example, “Zinc had 1% change … and increased to 3% … however after that…”. These attempts show some range, but sentence control is inconsistent. The zinc sentence beginning “It showed the continous decrease” has an unclear subject and awkward tense sequence, while “it started going up again but still remained…” joins ideas without clear punctuation. The final paragraph also begins with a comma, and several clauses lack appropriate sentence boundaries. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences with clear subjects, conjunctions and punctuation; this will make the trends easier to understand.

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