Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The graph illustrates average monthly price fluctuations of the three metals: copper, nickel and zinc in the year of 2014.

Overall, there was a downtrend in the proportion of price change of nickel. Whereas, the price fluctuations of copper and zinc was in a suitable range. But at the end of the year, the fluctuations was reduced significantly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You identify the chart’s subject and mention nickel, copper and zinc, but the response does not adequately summarise the main features or provide supporting figures. The claim that nickel had a “downtrend” captures its broad movement, yet misses its sharp fall to around -3% in June and recovery to positive changes by November. The statement that copper and zinc stayed “in a suitable range” is vague, and the claim that fluctuations were reduced significantly at year-end is not supported: zinc rose to about 2% in December, while copper also increased. The task’s 150-word minimum is not met, leaving most key comparisons unreported. Include an overview and select several accurate monthly figures to substantiate it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, recognisable structure: an opening sentence identifies the graph, followed by a separate overview paragraph. This gives the reader a starting point, but there is too little information to show a clear progression through the data or organise comparisons by metal or period. The linking words “Whereas” and “But” signal contrast, although “Whereas” is awkwardly separated from the preceding sentence and the relationship between the ideas is not fully clear. Develop the body with logically grouped details—for example, compare the metals’ early movements, their mid-year falls and their year-end recovery—and use linking phrases to make those relationships explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “price fluctuations,” “downtrend” and “proportion,” and the reader can understand that the response concerns changes in metal prices. However, the range is narrow and several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing this graph. “Proportion of price change” does not clearly express the percentage change, while “in a suitable range” is vague and does not describe the metals’ actual movements. “Fluctuations was reduced” also uses an unsuitable word form and collocation. Aim for precise chart language such as “monthly percentage change,” “remained relatively stable,” “fell sharply” and “recovered,” selecting terms that match the data rather than relying on general descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response includes simple sentences and an attempt at a contrast structure, so there is some variety. Meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in agreement and sentence construction are noticeable. In “Whereas, the price fluctuations of copper and zinc was,” the plural subject “fluctuations” requires “were,” and “whereas” should connect the contrast to a main clause rather than stand as a sentence fragment. Similarly, “the fluctuations was reduced” has a subject–verb agreement error. The opening phrase “in the year of 2014” is also awkwardly formed. Practise building complete comparison sentences and checking that verbs agree with their subjects; this will make the limited set of ideas clearer and more accurate.

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