Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-22

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.

In January 2014, nickel experienced the highest average monthly price change by 6%. The percentage change in prices of nickel significantly dropped to 0.5% in May with a further drastic decline in June, falling to -3%. It then slightly increased and remained stable in the following months, rising to -1%.The percentage decreased to -2% in October, before gradully increasing to 1% by December.

Copper's average cost changed by 2% and zinc average price underwent 1% change in Janua

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the graph and report several relevant nickel figures, including its January peak of 6%, fall to -3% in June, and recovery to -1% before reaching -2% in October. However, the response is far too brief to summarise the full year: it stops partway through the copper description and gives no meaningful account of zinc or the overall pattern. The copper and zinc figures are only introduced, with the sentence cut off at “Janua”. The required minimum of 150 words is not met; the response contains 88 words, with eight words copied from the prompt excluded. To improve, complete the comparison of all three metals and give an overview of their main rises, falls, and year-end positions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic, understandable sequence: it introduces the graph, then describes nickel before beginning to mention copper and zinc. Time markers such as “In January,” “in May,” and “in October” help the reader follow the nickel figures. However, the account is incomplete and the final sentence breaks off, so the information does not develop into a coherent summary of the graph. The transition from nickel to the other metals is not completed, and there is no concluding overview to connect the main trends. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for an overview and the detailed comparisons, and ensure each paragraph and sentence is finished.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonably varied set of terms for describing movement, including “dropped,” “drastic decline,” “increased,” and “remained stable.” These choices make the nickel trend mostly clear. Some phrasing is less natural or precise: “average monthly price change by 6%” would be clearer as “monthly price change of 6%,” while “average cost changed by 2%” does not accurately express a percentage change in price. There is also a spelling error in “gradully.” The limited length means there is little evidence of vocabulary for comparing all three series. Aim for precise chart language and check spelling, while varying expressions for rises, falls, and stability.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You show some ability to form complex sentences, particularly in “The percentage change … dropped to 0.5% in May with a further drastic decline in June,” and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, there are errors in sentence construction and punctuation. In “nickel experienced the highest average monthly price change by 6%,” the relationship between the change and the figure is not expressed accurately; use “a change of 6%.” There is no space after the full stop in “-1%.The percentage,” and the final sentence is incomplete. The response also offers too little evidence of varied sentence forms. Practise complete comparisons using accurate grammatical patterns, and proofread punctuation and sentence boundaries.

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