Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-21

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 given line graph compares the average monthly change in the prices of three metals namely Copper, Zinc and Nickel in 2014.

Overall, it can be seen that the Nickel decreased dramatically therefore Copper follow the improvements continuously, Zinc rise and fall with some changes throughout the period.

Looking in depth, the Zinc rose from 1% to 3% between January and February therefore it decreased steadily from 3% to negative 1 in between February and June. In addition, it remains stable till October then increase and stable at 2% in December. However, the Nickel dwindle dramatically from 6% to 1% in March and remain stable in next two months. Subsequently, it fell down from 1% to negative 3 and then rise steadily throughout the period.

Moreover, the Copper fell down consistently from 2% and stable at 0, resulting in the improvement of its prices and grow continuously from June to December and again leveled off at its previous price.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the chart’s subject and include an overview, then report several relevant movements, such as nickel’s fall from 6% to around −3% and zinc’s rise at the end of the year. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: copper does not improve continuously, and zinc does not remain stable until October. Some details are also misreported or vague; copper is around 0.5% in March and April, not 0%, and its later movement is not a continuous rise. The response is one word below the 150-word minimum, with 10 words copied from the prompt excluded from the count. To strengthen the report, give a precise overview and select the main peaks, troughs and shared patterns accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and a paragraph of details. It also groups information by metal, which helps the reader follow the chart. However, progression within the detail paragraph is sometimes difficult to track, and linking words such as “therefore,” “in addition” and “however” are used mechanically or do not express the relationship between the figures clearly. For example, “therefore Copper follow the improvements” does not make the connection between the overview points clear. Use simpler, more precise transitions and organise the data in a consistent sequence, such as describing the first-half decline and later recovery for each metal. Clearer sentence boundaries would also improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “rose,” “decreased,” “stable” and “dramatically,” and the reader can generally identify the trends you intend to describe. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural in this context. “Follow the improvements” and “fell down” are not suitable collocations for describing price changes, while “dwindle” is an awkward choice for a measured percentage movement. Repetition of “stable” and “rise” also limits precision. Choose standard trend language and distinguish between a rise, a fall, a fluctuation and a period of stability. More accurate phrasing would make the comparisons clearer without requiring more complicated vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “while” and “therefore,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction occur often enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “Copper follow” needs subject–verb agreement, “Zinc rose … therefore it decreased” needs clearer punctuation and clause structure, and “it remains stable … then increase” shifts tense and lacks consistent verb forms. The final sentence also has an unclear construction around “resulting in the improvement.” Keep the past tense consistent when reporting 2014 data, check singular subjects, and use shorter sentences when combining several movements.

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

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