Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-16

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 how the average monthly prices of three metals (Copper, Nickel, Zinc) changed over a 12 months timeframe in 2014.

Overall, there is a significant and considerable fluctuation in prices of all three metals. Nickel depicted the highest change in price at the beginning of 2014, in contrast, zinc showed the peak at the end of year. In addition, none of the metal prices intersected. In June nickel displyed the lowest figure of the data.

Nickel declined abruptly in the initial two months of the year, and then showed a slight change for the next two months. In the month of June it declined dramatically, falling to the lowest figure. Then there is a sharp rise, and after that it remained plateaued. In the last three months , it showed a similar fluctuated trend.

Additionally, zinc started the year at the lowest figure while ended being tne higest figure which is a considerable change. Zinc almost showed the same trend over a year like the nickel, except at just one place it showed a risein contrast to the nickel which is in the month of February. Copper demonstrated

a gradual decline in the first five years then remained same in the month of June. After that, it surged for the next month, and then it remained constant. In the last three months it showed slight fluctuations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main subjects and report several relevant movements, including nickel’s steep early decline and June low, and copper’s relatively small changes. However, the overview is not consistently accurate or sufficiently focused: zinc does not reach its peak at year-end (its highest point is in December, but nickel also begins much higher), and the claim that no lines intersect is not a useful or clearly supported main feature. Some comparisons are vague or inaccurate, such as saying zinc followed nickel’s trend except for February, when their movements differ in other months too. The reference to copper declining over the “first five years” also misreports the period. Select the clearest overall patterns and support them with accurate month-to-month comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by paragraphs describing nickel, zinc and copper, and sequencing phrases such as “Then” and “After that” help show changes over time. However, the organisation does not consistently guide the reader through the most important comparisons: the metals are mostly discussed separately, and the overview’s claims are not clearly developed in the detail. Linking expressions are sometimes awkward or repetitive, while “Additionally” introduces another series without establishing a clear comparison. Improve progression by grouping the shared mid-year fall and later recovery, then contrasting the metals’ different peaks and lows. Clearer paragraph focus and more precise references would make the account easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of trend vocabulary, including “declined abruptly,” “surged,” “plateaued” and “fluctuations,” which helps describe changes rather than simply listing figures. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “significant and considerable fluctuation” is redundant, “remained plateaued” is awkward, and “showed the peak” is less natural than describing a peak being reached. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “displyed,” “tne,” “higest” and “risein,” which reduce the polish of the report. Aim for accurate, concise collocations and check spelling carefully; use terms such as “fell,” “recovered” and “remained stable” where they fit the data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “while” and “except,” and most of the intended meaning can be understood. However, errors recur in sentence construction and tense control. For example, “while ended being” lacks a clear subject and verb structure, and “Copper demonstrated a gradual decline in the first five years” uses an incorrect time expression for a monthly chart. The sentence beginning “In the month of June it declined” would also benefit from clearer punctuation. Maintain consistent past tense when describing 2014 and check that each clause has a complete, correctly formed structure. More reliable control of these patterns would make the report clearer.

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.