Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The graphical representation illustrates the change in prices monthly of copper, nickel and zinc during the year 2014.

As in the start of the year in january the price is already at a hike of 6% from its original price and that is highest among the whole year. The price goes down the lowest 3% down from the original price in June. Price remained same after dropping from 4% increased price to 1% increased price till may although in May a very little drop in the percentage oocurs.After a hghest downfall in prices in the month of june, prices increased 2% with respect to june and remained same for 3 months. Again after a slight drop of 1% in the price in October, the prices hiked to 3% more and remained same till the end of the year.

At the beginning of the year the price was at the highest peak after certain ups and down in the prices, it remains way far less at the end of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response identifies the three metals and the year, and it attempts to describe changes across the year. However, it does not clearly report the main features of the graph as a whole: most of the account appears to focus on nickel, while copper and zinc receive almost no separate coverage. Some figures and comparisons are also inaccurate or unclear. For example, nickel fell to about 3% below zero in June, but the later rise was to around -1% in July, not a 2% increase that then stayed unchanged for three months; it rose to about 1% only in November. The closing claim that prices ended “way far less” than at the start is not true of all three metals. Select key trends for each series and give a precise overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic sequence from the start of the year through later months, and the response is divided into paragraphs, with a final attempt at an overview. This gives the reader some sense of chronology. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the metal being discussed is often not named, and several sentences combine multiple movements without clear links. For instance, “Price remained same after dropping from 4% increased price to 1% increased price till may” leaves the subject and timing uncertain. The final paragraph also repeats a general point rather than summarising the three series. Organise the report into an overview followed by clearly labelled comparisons, using explicit references such as “nickel” and “by contrast” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “hike,” “drop,” “downfall,” “increased,” and “remained same.” These choices show an attempt to vary the language rather than simply list figures. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a graph report, such as “at a hike,” “lowest 3% down,” and “prices hiked to 3% more.” Spelling errors, including “january,” “oocurs,” and “hghest,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for standard trend language and distinguish a percentage change from a price level; for example, say that a figure “fell to 3% below zero” rather than “went down the lowest 3%.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentence forms, including a time clause beginning “After a highest downfall…” and a sentence describing a period of stability. However, complex constructions are often faulty, and errors in articles, tense, agreement, and sentence structure sometimes make the meaning hard to interpret. Examples include “As in the start of the year in january,” “the price goes down the lowest 3%,” and “it remains way far less at the end.” The sentence beginning “Price remained same after dropping…” also lacks clear grammatical connections between the figures and the time period. Use complete, direct sentences with a clear subject, and check articles and verb forms—for example, “Nickel fell to -3% in June, then recovered to -1% in July.”

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