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 line graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of three metals namely copper, nickel and zinc. During 2014.

Overall, nickel had the highest price among all after significant fluctuation it ended up at the lowest price by the end of the year, whereas copper had average start and ended up at second. Zinc was in contrast, starting from bottom and ended up at the top.

Firstly, nickel had significant higher monthly prices at the start of the year but after two months it fell down rapidly and didn't stablize till the end; and ended up at the bottom. Moreover, copper was average right from the start although it fluctuated a lot, but couldn't capitalize the start and ended up at second only.

Secondly, zinc started from bottom but due to sudden rise in a month it came on top, moving forward it fluctuated a lot but still remains at the top.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the three metals and give an overview of their broad movements, including nickel’s sharp decline and copper’s comparatively steadier pattern. However, some key comparisons are inaccurate: nickel did not finish at the lowest monthly change, since copper ended at about 1.5%, above nickel and zinc; zinc finished around 2%, the highest. The claim that zinc “remains at the top” also overlooks its mid-year negative changes and the fact that it only rose above the others near year-end. The response is under-developed, with almost no supporting figures, and it contains 144 words, six below the required minimum; the ten words copied from the prompt are excluded. Include accurate start/end values and describe the mid-year downturn to cover the main features more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by two paragraphs discussing the metals. Sequencing words such as “Overall,” “Firstly,” and “Secondly” help signal the structure, and the reader can follow the general direction of the discussion. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. For example, “after two months it fell down rapidly” does not specify the point in the year or the later recovery, while “moving forward” gives little indication of which period is being described. The repeated “ended up” also makes the links feel mechanical. Improve cohesion by organising the account chronologically and using precise references to the months or stages, with each paragraph focused on a clear comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing trends, including “significant fluctuation,” “fell,” “rise,” and “fluctuated.” These choices make the general topic clear, and you attempt to vary your descriptions rather than relying only on “increase” and “decrease.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, however. “Highest price” and “lowest price” are misleading because the graph shows monthly percentage changes, not the metals’ actual prices; “highest monthly change” would be more accurate. “Average start,” “came on top,” and “capitalize the start” are also unnatural in this context. There is also a spelling error in “stablize.” Aim for precise trend vocabulary and check common collocations and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including longer sentences with contrast, as in “although it fluctuated a lot, but couldn't capitalize the start.” The main ideas are generally understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. The opening has an incorrect sentence break: “...zinc. During 2014” should be one complete sentence. In the overview, “after significant fluctuation it ended up” needs clearer punctuation and a grammatical subject, and “Zinc was in contrast” is awkwardly structured. There are also tense and agreement problems, such as “still remains” when describing the completed year and “nickel had ... prices” where the singular metal is being discussed. Use complete sentences, maintain past tense for the 2014 data, and check clause structure and subject–verb agreement.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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