Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates the trends of percentage change of price, as compare to previous month in three metals, which are Copper, Nickel and Zinc, during year 2014.

Overall, highest price flucuation was noticed in Nickel compared to other metals, whose price was at 6% in January and drop to its lowest price in June at -3%, then finished at 1% in December. Lowest flucuation was noticed in Copper started from 2% and finishes at less than 2%. Zinc sh

Overall, prices of all metals were stable during July to September, While prices of Nickel and Copper were illustrating a same pattern, prices peak in January, drop to min In June, and increased in October, But Zinc pattern was also same expect at one place becuase its prices were at peak in February.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main contrast that nickel fluctuated most, citing its January high of 6%, June low of -3%, and December figure of 1%. You also note copper’s comparatively small changes and zinc’s February peak. However, the overview is incomplete and some comparisons are inaccurate: all three metals were not stable from July to September, since nickel remained at about -1% and copper and zinc changed slightly. The claim that copper and nickel followed the same pattern is also misleading, particularly around their mid-year movements. The response is below the required 150 words, and the final sentence is cut off (“Zinc sh”), leaving a key feature unfinished. Add a fuller, accurate overview and select a few clear comparisons across the year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is an attempt to organise the response with an opening description and two overview-style paragraphs, and “Overall” signals a summary. However, the progression is difficult to follow because the first overview combines several points in a long sentence, then the next paragraph repeats “Overall” and introduces further comparisons without a clear structure. The unfinished phrase “Zinc sh” interrupts the flow, while capitalisation after commas and the use of “But” mid-sentence make connections less controlled. Group the information into a concise introduction, a clear overview, and paragraphs comparing the metals or stages of the year. Use linking words to show contrasts and changes precisely rather than repeating the same summary signal.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “percentage change,” “fluctuation,” “peak,” and “lowest,” so the reader can understand the general subject. There is also an attempt to vary wording with “drop” and “increased.” However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as “highest price fluctuation was noticed,” “lowest price” for a monthly percentage change, and “illustrating a same pattern.” Spelling errors including “flucuation” and “becuase,” together with the incomplete “sh,” reduce precision. Aim for standard graph-reporting collocations such as “recorded the largest monthly change,” “fell to,” and “followed a similar trend.” More precise vocabulary would help distinguish price levels from percentage changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts longer sentences and subordinate clauses, for example the sentence describing nickel’s January high and June low. However, these structures are often faulty, and several basic forms are inaccurate: “as compare to” should be “compared with,” “Copper started” lacks a clear grammatical connection to the preceding clause, and “prices peak … drop … increased” shifts tense inconsistently. The sentence beginning “While prices…” also joins contrasting clauses with unclear punctuation, and “Zinc pattern” is missing a possessive determiner. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to interpret. Use past tense consistently for the 2014 data, check subject–verb forms and articles, and divide long comparisons into shorter, complete sentences.

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