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 changes in average monthly change in the price of copper, nickel, zinc in 2014. This essay will measure and discuss the key pointers.

Overall, it is clear that while copper and nickel experienced a significant downward trend while, zinc saw a noticeable increase over the period. Addition, nickel remain the most dominant feature through out the entire line.

Looking at the data inn more detail in January, the figure for nickel stood at 6 %. Following this, it declined sharply to -3 % in middle year before levelling at 1 % by the end of the period. Meanwhile zinc witnessed upward trajectory, rising steadily from 1 % to 3 %.

In stark contrast the numbers for copper started high at 2 % but underwent a dramatic plunge, bottoming at less than 0 % in middle of the year. Conversely, the average prices of these three metals are not steady, meanwhile majority of them were underwent their value although at the end all are at between 1 - 2 %.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main metals and include some relevant figures, especially nickel’s fall from 6% to −3% and its recovery to 1%. However, the overview is not fully accurate: copper and nickel do not both show a significant downward trend across the year, as both finish above zero, while zinc also falls sharply in the middle months before recovering. Some details are misreported or too general: zinc rises from 1% to 3% only between January and February, not steadily over the period, and copper’s lowest point is about −0.5%, rather than a dramatic plunge. To strengthen the report, summarise the shared mid-year decline and late recovery, and compare the metals’ different peaks and troughs more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about nickel, zinc and copper. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is weakened by unclear or contradictory links between ideas. For example, the overview says copper and nickel declined while zinc increased, but the later account describes recoveries and declines that complicate this summary. Phrases such as “Following this,” “Meanwhile,” and “Conversely” are used, but some do not clearly express the relationship between the data. The final sentence also combines several comparisons without a clear focus. Organise the body around the mid-year fall and end-of-year recovery, using linking phrases only where they accurately show contrast or sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of report-style vocabulary, including “declined sharply,” “upward trajectory,” “in stark contrast,” and “bottoming,” which shows an effort to describe trends rather than simply list figures. However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as “key pointers,” “most dominant feature,” and “underwent their value.” There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “inn,” “through out,” and “Addition.” These reduce precision and sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Aim for standard chart language and accurate collocations, for example, “key features,” “largest monthly change,” and “prices fluctuated.” Check spelling and use “trend” or “change” consistently when describing the figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and some attempts at more complex structures, such as “while copper and nickel experienced…” and “before levelling at 1%.” However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to interpret. The overview contains a faulty construction: “while copper and nickel experienced … while, zinc saw…”; use one clear contrast structure instead. Other problems include “nickel remain” rather than “nickel remained,” missing articles in “in middle year,” and the unclear clause “majority of them were underwent their value.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly in the final sentence. Practise forming accurate past-tense comparisons and checking subject–verb agreement, articles, and clause structure before adding complex linking.

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