Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-17

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 much change occured in average monthly prices of three different type of metals Copper, Nickel and Zinc dyring the year of 2014.

Overall, each type of metal experienced the drop effect in various months, but at the Zinc average monthly cost cross the other two type od metals. Nickel hit the low of prices.

In January, Nickel stood at the highest with 6% change in monthly price. But plummeted in March with 1% change in monthly cost, although the fallen speed little bit decreased, but again experienced sharpest declined in June with negative 3% change in price. In the next month recovery started. On the otherhand, Copper followed the same pattern in contrast it didn't gone down that much like Nickle. In the beginning variation in monthly average price 2% then got gradully declined 0.4% change in monthly average price.

In contrast Znic followed the opposite direction at the start rose to 3% change in monthly price then gradually declined start and stopped at june with negative 1%. At the end cross both type of metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify relevant overall features, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall, copper’s comparatively modest movement, and zinc’s rise at the beginning. However, the overview is unclear: “at the Zinc average monthly cost cross the other two” does not accurately explain the end-of-year pattern. Zinc and nickel both finish above copper, but zinc does not clearly cross both metals at the end. Several important stages are also omitted, especially the recovery in November and December for nickel and zinc, and the fact that copper remains relatively stable after its mid-year dip. Some figures are inaccurate or vague, such as copper’s March change, which is about 0.5%, not 0.4%. A clearer overview and more accurate comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the metals. It also attempts to compare series using phrases such as “On the other hand” and “In contrast.” However, progression within the body is uneven: the account moves between metals and months without consistently showing how the trends develop across the year. Some linking phrases are inaccurate or awkward, and “At the end cross both type of metals” leaves the comparison unclear. Grouping the main movements into early-year, mid-year, and late-year stages, while comparing the metals within each stage, would make the information easier to follow. Clearer references and more precise transitions would also reduce the effort required to interpret the report.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing trends, including “plummeted,” “recovery,” “declined,” and “gradually,” showing an attempt to vary your language. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “drop effect,” “Nickel hit the low of prices,” and “the fallen speed little bit decreased” are not natural ways to describe the graph. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “occurred,” “during,” “Nickel,” and “Zinc” being misspelled in the response. Aim for accurate, conventional trend language and check spelling carefully. Suggestions: “drop effect” → “decline”; “hit the low of prices” → “reached its lowest point”; “cross both type of metals” → “overtook both other metals.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “although” and “but,” and you use past-tense verbs to describe the year. However, many sentences contain errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, or verb forms, and these sometimes obscure the intended meaning. For instance, “at the Zinc average monthly cost cross” lacks a correctly formed verb phrase, while “Copper followed the same pattern … it didn't gone down” combines clauses incorrectly and uses an incorrect verb form. “Zinc followed the opposite direction … rose” also needs clearer sentence structure. There is some control in simpler statements such as “Nickel stood at the highest,” but the overall accuracy is inconsistent. Practise complete clauses and accurate past-tense forms before adding multiple ideas to one sentence.

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