Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-23

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 graph summarises information of average monthly variations in the cost of three metals which were observed during the period of 2014.

Overall, maximum variation was noticed till june for the nickel, where the other two metals showed least changes. The percentage of nickel and zinc have been in negative for the one-fourth of the year.

Starting from 6%, the price of nickel was dropped down to -3% for first half year.With time, number went to 1% in december. Zinc reamains same from June to October with -1%. For copper, line of graph varies between 2% to -0.5%.

Moreover, May to July are months with higher uncertainity, the price of nickel dropped drastically. Noticeably, price for the copper is boosted and zinc has slighter declinement. The graph represents least variation in months like July, August and september. In end of year, nickel is at 1% copper at 0.5% and zinc with highest of all at 2%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and include a broad overview, noting nickel’s large early movement and that some prices became negative. You also report several relevant figures, such as nickel falling from 6% to -3% and the year-end values. However, the overview is not fully accurate: nickel and copper, rather than nickel and zinc, were below zero for part of the year, and nickel’s negative period was not one-fourth of the year. Some comparisons are also unclear or inaccurate; for example, copper did not rise from May to July, and zinc was not at -1% throughout June to October. Select the main trends more precisely and support them with accurate comparisons across the year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs of details. This helps the reader identify the topic and follow the broad movement from the first half of the year to the end. However, progression between points is uneven, and some linking expressions do not clarify the relationship between ideas. “Moreover” introduces another observation without a clear connection, while “where the other two metals” makes the comparison difficult to follow. The final paragraph repeats some information and combines several trends in a crowded sentence. Grouping the metals’ early movements together, then comparing their later changes, would create a clearer progression and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a graph, including “variations,” “dropped drastically,” “negative,” and “highest.” These choices show an attempt to describe change rather than simply list figures. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “maximum variation was noticed,” “price … was dropped down,” and “slighter declinement.” Spelling errors in “reamains” and “uncertainity” also reduce accuracy. The range is sufficient to communicate the general topic, but imprecise wording sometimes makes the intended trend unclear. Practise standard graph language such as “rose,” “fell,” “remained stable,” and “fluctuated,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “where the other two metals showed least changes” and a time clause beginning “Starting from 6%.” However, errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms are frequent enough to affect clarity. For example, “the price of nickel was dropped down” uses an incorrect passive form, and “The percentage of nickel and zinc have been in negative” has problems with agreement and sentence structure. The sentence “In end of year, nickel is at 1% copper at 0.5%” also lacks articles and clear punctuation between the figures. Use complete, clearly punctuated sentences and check tense, agreement and articles.

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