Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The graph shows that nickel price was very high in month J at Rs 6 with respect to all other metals and it had fall in its price in month A at Rs 1 and continue with it previous same price towards D month and in last its price was also Rs1 after so many problems. Copper price was Rs 2 at month J higher than zinc and then its price had faal continously at Rs -0.1 in month J and at last its price was Rs 0.1 in month D. Zinc had low price at start from all other metals Rs 1 in month J and then its price roses to Rs 3 in month F and in last its price is Rs 2 in month D. Copper behaviour in prices is normal as compare to others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify all three metals and include some relevant figures, such as nickel at about 6% in January and zinc reaching about 3% in February. However, the account is very limited and does not give a clear overview of the main pattern: all three metals fall around the middle of the year and recover towards the end, while nickel shows the greatest fluctuations. Several details are inaccurate: copper does not fall continuously, and its lowest value is about -0.5%, not -0.1%; it ends near 1.5%, not 0.1%. Nickel is about 1% in December, but it does not remain at that level throughout the year. The response is also 12 words below the required minimum. Add a concise overview and report the major changes accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response follows a basic sequence, moving from nickel to copper and then zinc, so the reader can identify which metal is being discussed. Some linking words, including “and then” and “at last,” also show an attempt to connect events. However, the information is presented as one long paragraph with little clear progression from an overview to supporting details. Repeated use of “and then” makes the account feel like a list, and phrases such as “after so many problems” do not clarify the trend. Organise the response into an overview followed by grouped comparisons, and use time markers such as “in the first half of the year” and “by December” to make relationships clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a basic range of relevant terms, including “price,” “higher,” “low,” and “continously,” and the reader can generally understand that you are describing changes over time. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “price roses” is not the appropriate form for describing an increase, and “Copper behaviour in prices is normal” is vague and unnatural. “After so many problems” is also unsuitable for a neutral graph summary. Aim for precise trend vocabulary and standard academic phrasing, such as “rose,” “declined,” “fluctuated,” and “recovered.” Check spelling and use “percentage change” rather than treating the figures as rupee prices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect several ideas in longer sentences, for example by joining changes with “and” and “then.” This shows some effort to describe sequences rather than relying only on isolated statements. However, the response has frequent errors in sentence structure and verb forms, and these sometimes make the timeline or meaning unclear. Examples include “it had fall,” “continue with it previous same price,” and “its price roses.” Articles and prepositions are also often missing or incorrectly used, as in “in month J” and “higher than zinc.” Use shorter, complete sentences with a consistent past tense, such as “Nickel fell to about 1% in April and later dropped to -3% in June.” Proofread for subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.