Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-15

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 illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in the year 2014.

Overall, nickel's prices were highest in january, which decreased throughout the time period, in july hits at its lowest price, after this increase with some fluctuations. While zinc prices were lowest in the start of the year, while goes upward in feburary hits at its peak point. The prices of copper fluctuated the whole year, and remained stabled for five several months.

Firstly, nickel was the expensive metal in january, which prices decreased significantly till march. In june, its prices goes downwards, hits at its lowest point of -3%. Till december, its prices were least as compared with copper and zinc. Moving ahead, the prices of zinc increased in february hits the highest point. After this it decreased noticeably, and remained stable from july to september. In october it raise considerably, after this remained stable on the same point which was in march and april.

Lastly, the prices of copper remain fluctuated throughout the year, and remained stable for few months. Overall, its prices decreased while remained stable from july to september.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and give an overview of their broad movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp mid-year fall, zinc’s rise and later decline, and copper’s relatively small changes. However, some key details are inaccurate or unclear: nickel reaches its lowest point in June, not July, and its prices do not decrease continuously throughout the year because they rise in November. Zinc is not lowest at the start; copper is lower in several early months. The claim that copper remained stable for five months is also imprecise. To strengthen the report, select the main turning points and compare the metals more accurately, using clear month-by-month references.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and separate discussion of the metals. This helps the reader identify the main topic. However, progression is weakened by repeated or awkward transitions such as “Moving ahead,” “Lastly,” and “Overall,” and the overview and body do not always connect clearly. For example, the overview says nickel decreased throughout the period, while the body later mentions its recovery, creating an inconsistency in the organisation of information. Some sentences also combine several trends without clear relationships. Group the metals’ key movements into logical stages and use linking expressions selectively so comparisons and changes are easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “decreased significantly,” “fluctuated,” “lowest point,” and “remained stable.” This gives you a workable range for the task. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “the expensive metal,” “hits at its peak point,” “prices goes downwards,” and “raise considerably.” Spelling errors such as “january” and “feburary” also reduce accuracy. Use standard chart-reporting phrases such as “recorded the highest price change,” “reached a peak,” and “rose” or “fell.” Greater precision in describing increases, decreases and stability would make the comparisons clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “which” and contrast structures with “while.” However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “nickel's prices were highest in january, which decreased” has an unclear subject, while “in july hits at its lowest price” lacks a clear subject and has faulty verb structure. There are also tense and agreement problems in “its prices goes downwards” and “it raise considerably,” as well as incomplete or awkward constructions such as “after this increase with some fluctuations.” Practise complete sentences with a clear subject and consistent past-tense verbs, and check agreement and punctuation when joining clauses.

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