Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The line graph illustrates the average monthly change in the prices of copper, nickel, and zinc in 2014.

Overall, nickel was at the top of list in start, which decreased rapidly and ended at the last. However, change in the price of zinc was inclined in overall perspective.

The average monthly change in price of copper was at 2% in january, which furtherly decreased before june, but then it inclined in next three months. However, after a little declined in september it risen highly and came to 1.5%.

Nickel was at 6% in the start of the year, meanwhile it reduced fastly in almost many months, however it remained the same in june to august. After a little declined in september, it increased

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the graph’s subject and include some relevant figures, such as nickel beginning at 6% and copper at 2%. However, the response only partially reports the main features: the overview is unclear, and the zinc trend is described as rising overall even though it falls through much of the first ten months before recovering. The copper account also says it rose after September, whereas it dipped slightly in October and November before reaching 1.5% in December. The nickel description is unfinished, and zinc receives no detailed account. The response is 115 words, below the required 150; this leaves important comparisons and trends undeveloped. Include a complete overview and cover all three metals accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of copper and nickel. This gives the reader some sense of how the information is organised. However, progression is limited because the nickel paragraph stops mid-sentence, and there is no paragraph or concluding comparison for zinc. Linking words such as “However” and “meanwhile” are used, but several do not clearly express the relationship between the ideas, and repeated contrast markers make the flow mechanical. To improve, group the metals’ shared pattern—declines around the middle of the year and recovery near the end—and use clear time markers to guide the reader through the data.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “average monthly change,” “decreased,” and “increased,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the report awkward: “at the top of list,” “inclined in overall perspective,” and “it risen highly” do not describe the trends naturally. There are also noticeable word-form and spelling problems, such as “furtherly,” “fastly,” and “january.” Aim for precise chart language and vary verbs appropriately—for example, “fell,” “remained stable,” and “recovered”—rather than relying on repeated basic terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences using clauses and contrast, as in “Nickel was at 6% in the start of the year, meanwhile it reduced…” This shows an effort to connect information, but the range remains limited and complex sentences are often faulty. Examples include “which furtherly decreased before june,” where the reference of “which” is unclear, and “after a little declined in september it risen,” which has errors in the noun phrase and verb form. The final sentence is incomplete, so the reader cannot follow the intended point. Practise forming accurate past-tense sentences and punctuating linked clauses; shorter, complete sentences would help you report the figures clearly.

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