Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The line graph illustrates the information regarding the average prices of three metals month-on-month during 2014. The data has been calibrated in percentage.

Overall, it is clear that in given metals nickel and copper are showed the down-word trend through out the period. While, zinc showed up-word trend durning the given time period.

To start with, Nickel, started with the ration of 6 in the month of january. Further, in next month of february it decline and reached at 4% and in march it was at only on 1%. However, it stay constant till april and then slightly decreased and reached at -3% in the month of june. After that, it showed the upword trend and reched at 1% in last month. Moreover, Copper, started from 2% in january at showed down word trend till the month of june, while, after june it come back at 1%. Then, it stay stable till the month of september and reached at 2% in the month of december.

Moving on, Zinc, started from 1% and increased in month od february which was at 3%. Further, it decline sinificantly after the month of february to june. However, it incline in month of july and reached above to -1% and after that it stay stable such like other from the month july to september. In december i showed at the ratio of 1%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and give a broad account of their movements, including nickel’s sharp fall and copper’s recovery. However, the overview is not sufficiently accurate: copper does not show a downward trend throughout, and zinc does not rise overall in a steady way; all three fluctuate and finish above their mid-year lows. Some details are also misreported or omitted. For example, copper ends at about 1.5%, not 2%, and zinc reaches about 2% in December, not 1%. The account of zinc’s late-year recovery is especially limited, while nickel’s November rise is not clearly distinguished from its December level. Select the main contrasts more carefully and give a precise overview of the overall pattern.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of nickel and copper followed by zinc. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is sometimes mechanical, with repeated transitions such as “Further,” “After that,” and “Moreover,” and some links do not clearly express the relationship between points. The overview’s contrast between metals is also difficult to follow because it does not match the detailed account. Grouping the metals by shared stages—for example, their mid-year falls and subsequent recoveries—could create clearer comparisons. Use referencing and linking phrases more selectively so that each paragraph develops a distinct, logically connected point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “month-on-month,” “decline,” “increased,” “stable,” and “trend,” so the reader can generally understand the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which makes parts of the report awkward: “the ration of 6,” “showed the up-word trend,” and “reached above to -1%” are examples. Spelling errors such as “sinificantly” and “reched” also reduce precision. Aim for standard chart language and accurate forms, such as “stood at,” “fell to,” “rose to,” and “remained stable.” Vary these expressions where appropriate, but prioritise correct, natural combinations over more elaborate wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence of monthly changes is often understandable. However, control is inconsistent, particularly in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. Examples include “nickel and copper are showed,” “it decline,” and “it stay constant”; these should use forms such as “showed,” “declined,” and “stayed.” The overview also contains a sentence fragment beginning “While, zinc…,” and several clauses are joined awkwardly, as in “Moreover, Copper, started… at showed…”. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas harder to follow. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build longer sentences around one clear main clause, checking punctuation and agreement.

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.