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 below illustrates the mean monthly change in cost of three metals, copper, nickel and zinc, in 2014.

Overall, we can see that Copper and zinc had a similar pattern amongst them declining and surging in similar periods. Nickel had the most dramatic fluctuations as the percentage change in price dropped drastically.

In January, copper had the highest percentage change in price but gradually dipped reaching its lowest, at negative 3%, in other words the prices dropped. However, after the first half of the year it gradually rose to 1% falling behind zinc and copper.

On the other hand, copper and zinc started sharing a similar pattern after the first month, percentage of zinc hiked from 1% to 3% only in the first month and had started to drop afterward reaching as low as 1% in June. Conversely, decline in copper can also be witnessed in the first 6 months and plateaued in certain months. Copper and zinc simultaneously fluctuated before reaching at similar level by the end of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the metals and give an overview that nickel fluctuated most, which is a relevant main feature. However, the account is only partially accurate and leaves important trends unclear. The statement that copper had the highest change in January is incorrect: nickel was highest at about 6%, while copper was around 2%. The “negative 3%” low is also assigned to copper, although it was nickel that fell to this level in June. Your description of zinc’s early rise and subsequent decline is more accurate, but the final comparison is vague and does not report the metals’ recovery in November and December. Select the main movements accurately and compare the series across the year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details, and expressions such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is not consistently clear: the third paragraph begins with copper, shifts to nickel, and then discusses copper and zinc, making the comparisons difficult to follow. Some linking is also inaccurate or repetitive, particularly “Conversely” where the relationship between the two trends is not clearly opposite. Organise the details by time period or by metal, and use references that make each comparison explicit. This would give the report a clearer overall progression and reduce the effort needed to interpret it.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a graph, including “fluctuations,” “gradually,” “plateaued,” and “percentage change.” These choices help communicate movement and variation, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some word choices and collocations are imprecise, however: “mean monthly change in cost” is less suitable than language referring to average price changes, and “pattern amongst them” is awkward. “Hiked” is also rather informal for an academic report, while “surging” overstates the relatively modest movements described. Aim for precise, neutral graph language and use verbs that match the scale and direction of the data. This will make your comparisons more natural and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “while,” “after,” and “before.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions reduce clarity. For example, “Copper and zinc had a similar pattern amongst them declining and surging” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the pattern and the movements. In “reaching its lowest, at negative 3%,” the sentence structure is also unclear, and “before reaching at similar level” has an unnecessary preposition and lacks an article. Review clause construction, articles, and prepositions, especially in longer sentences. Breaking complex comparisons into clearer sentences would help you retain variety while improving accuracy.

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