Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-19

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 graph illustrates percentage of the average monthly difference in prices of copper, nickel and zinc in 2014.

Overall, nickel shows the most dramatic ups and downs most of the year. However, Copper and zinc were near to the nickel after showing some fluctuations in the end of the year.

Copper and zinc detected opposite trend in February at 1% and 3% respectively, which record the lowest of 0.5% and -1% in month of June. In following month they both leveled and show slide rise and gave the final value of 1.5% and 2% respectively. Showing a relevant trend to nickel with less fluctuations.

On the other hand, Nickel shows dramatic decrease to 1% from 6% in first three months after stabling it for next two months, However, it record another lowest decrease in June at 3%. The prices were leveled of at -1% to record final value with little rise to 1%, just below copper and zinc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main contrast: nickel fluctuates much more sharply, while copper and zinc show smaller movements, and you report several relevant figures, including nickel’s 6% start and the metals’ year-end values. However, some descriptions are inaccurate or unclear. Copper and zinc do not show opposite trends in February: both rise from January, and copper is at 1% while zinc reaches 3%. The statement that they “record the lowest” in June also misrepresents the data: copper’s low is around -0.5%, while zinc falls to about -1%. The overview’s claim that copper and zinc were “near to the nickel” is not consistently supported, particularly during nickel’s sharp fall. Select the key turning points more precisely and make the overall comparison clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of copper and zinc before nickel. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a comparison. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear links and sentence fragments. “Showing a relevant trend to nickel with less fluctuations” is not a complete sentence, and it is unclear which metals “they” refers to in places. The overview also does not clearly prepare the reader for the detailed comparisons that follow. Group the metals consistently, use explicit references such as “these two metals,” and connect each paragraph’s figures to a clear comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “percentage,” “fluctuations,” “decrease,” and “final value,” and you attempt to describe movement rather than simply list figures. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the trends difficult to interpret. For example, prices cannot “detected” a trend, and “leveled and show slide rise” does not clearly express a gradual increase. “Stabling” is also not the appropriate form for describing prices remaining steady. Aim for precise, conventional chart language and check word forms and collocations. A more controlled range of verbs such as “fell,” “remained stable,” “recovered,” and “ended” would make the account clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors occur frequently, especially in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For instance, “Copper and zinc detected opposite trend” lacks an appropriate verb and article, while “they both leveled and show slide rise” shifts tense and does not form a complete, accurate clause. The fragment “Showing a relevant trend…” also needs to be joined to a main clause. There are further problems in “it record another lowest decrease” and “The prices were leveled of.” Use past-tense verbs consistently for the 2014 data, build complete clauses, and check subject–verb agreement and punctuation.

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