Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given paragraph shows about the monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014. The metals which are discussed in this graph they are copper, nickel and zinc. Firstly we have copper, the price of copper in january is about 2% and then the price is decreasing continuously till june and the price is below the 0%. Then in july the price is increases and in december it is about 2%. Secondly, the price of nickel in 1st month is about 6% and then price is decreasing continuously and in june it is about -3. And in july the price of nickel is increasing and in december it is about 1%. The last metal we have zinc. The price of zinc in 1st month is 1% and in february it is 3%. Then it is decreasing and in june it is about -1. From july to september it is between-1 to 0. Then in october it is increasing and in december it is about 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify all three metals and report several key movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall to around −3% in June, and zinc’s rise to 3% in February followed by a decline. However, the response mainly lists each metal separately and does not provide a clear overall summary of the main pattern or compare the series. Some details are inaccurate: copper does not decline continuously until June, since it is about 0.5% in both March and April before falling below zero in May; its December figure is closer to 1.5% than 2%. Zinc also rises from October to December, rather than simply “increasing” from October without noting its earlier low. Select the most important contrasts and summarise them accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from copper to nickel and then zinc, and signposting such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “The last metal” helps readers follow the topic. However, this organisation is repetitive and does not create a clear overview-to-detail progression. Each metal is treated in a similar list-like way, while comparisons between them are largely absent. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “Then in july the price is increases,” and the repeated use of “and then” makes the account feel mechanical. A stronger structure would begin with an overview of the metals’ broad patterns, then group the detailed comparisons by shared rises, falls, or turning points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to identify the metals, months, and basic movements, using terms such as “decreasing,” “increasing,” and “below 0%.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, including repeated references to “the price” and “in 1st month.” “The given paragraph” is also an unsuitable description of a graph, and “the price is below the 0%” is not a natural way to describe a negative monthly change. Use more precise chart language, such as “monthly price change,” “fell,” “recovered,” and “remained negative.” This would make the report more concise and help distinguish a change in price from the price level itself.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You communicate the general sequence using mostly simple clauses, but the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “The metals which are discussed in this graph they are…” has an unnecessary repeated subject, while “the price is increases” combines incompatible verb forms. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in phrases such as “the price of copper in january is” and “the price of nickel is increasing” when describing the completed year. Several sentences are joined with “and” rather than being controlled with clearer clause structures. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and simple comparative clauses, for example, “Copper fell below zero in May and June, before recovering in July.”

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