Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-26

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 displays the average monthly change in the price of three metals during 2014. It reveals the information of copper, nickel and zink over the period of months.

It is clear that price of nickel has dropped consistently from january to june from 6% to -3% but after it it increased to -1% and remain constant for 3 month, although it was dropped to -2% in october but in november it again increased to 1% and remain constant in december. Price of copper also reveals the same pattern, price has constantly dropped from 2% to almost -0.75 from january to june but after july it increased upto 1% and remain constant for next 3 months but it has witnessed a drop of 0.5% in october but again it rises upto 1.75%.

Moreover, price of zinc has increased upto 3% in fabuary but after that it consistently decreased till june and remain near to -1%, although it rises near to -0.5% but it has also decreased in the october and after that it has drastically increased upto 2%.

In conclusion, the percentage changes in all 3 metals reveals a pattern which is noticable in the line graph.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify all three metals and report several important movements, including nickel’s fall from 6% to -3% by June and its recovery to 1% in November, as well as zinc’s early peak and late rise. However, the response is mainly a sequence of monthly changes rather than a clear overview of the main features. The concluding claim that all three metals show “a pattern” is too general to summarise their key similarities and differences. Some details are inaccurate or imprecise: copper is around -0.5% in May and June, not almost -0.75% by June, and its December value is about 1.5%, rather than 1.75%. State the overall pattern clearly—for example, nickel fluctuates most, while all three recover toward year-end—and select the most significant comparisons.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate discussion of nickel and copper, a paragraph on zinc, and a conclusion. The sequence generally follows the months, and linking expressions such as “although,” “but after that,” and “Moreover” help connect information. This gives the report a coherent overall arrangement. However, the long sentences contain many successive changes, making comparisons difficult to follow; the repeated “but” and “after” links can feel mechanical. The conclusion repeats that there is a pattern without clarifying what it is. Improve progression by grouping the metals by shared stages—early movement, mid-year decline, and year-end recovery—and use shorter sentences with clearer references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a graph, including “dropped,” “increased,” “decreased,” “constant,” and “percentage changes,” so the main trends are usually understandable. There are also attempts at more descriptive phrasing, such as “witnessed a drop.” However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward: “reveals the information of” is not a natural way to introduce the data, “remain constant” is used where the subject requires a different form, and “drastically increased” overstates zinc’s rise. Spelling errors such as “zink,” “january,” and “fabuary” are noticeable. Use precise graph language and check spelling, word forms, and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt complex sentences with clauses introduced by “although” and “but,” and the reader can generally understand the intended sequence. However, the range is limited, and complex sentences are often faulty or overloaded with several clauses. Subject–verb agreement errors recur, as in “price … has dropped” followed by “it increased” and “all 3 metals reveals”; the latter should use a plural verb. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “price of nickel” and “in the october.” Verb forms are inconsistent in “remain constant” and “it was dropped,” and punctuation does not reliably separate the many linked ideas. Build accuracy with shorter sentences, checking agreement, articles, and tense in each one before adding subordinate clauses.

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