Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The line graph illustrates the monthly averge prices changes of the three metals during 2014.

The price of nickel in january was 6 % in febuary was 4% in march was 1% in april was same 1% in may was 0% in june was -3% in july was -1% next two month is same percentage in october was -2 % in november 1% and late month was same .

The price of zinc in january was 1 % in febuary was 3 % in march was 2 % in april was almost 1 percent in may was 1% in june was -1 % in next three month zinc price into -1 to 0 percent change in october was -1% in novmber almost 2 percent change at last month 2 % change.

The price of the copper in january was 2% in febuary was 1% next 2 month price into the 1 into 0 next 2 month was into almost -1 % next three month june july and augest was 1% change next tpo month into 1into 0 at the end copper price iwas into 1into 2.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify all three metals and report several important monthly movements, including nickel’s fall to −3% in June and the metals’ recovery towards the end of the year. However, the response mainly lists figures rather than summarising the main features, and it has no clear overview comparing the metals’ overall patterns. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: copper is reported as rising to 1% in June, although it remains around −0.5% that month and rises in July; its final value is also closer to 1.5%, not simply “1 into 2.” Zinc’s November figure is about 1.5%, while the description is vague. Add an overview and select the clearest highs, lows, and shared trends.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure: an opening sentence followed by separate descriptions of nickel, zinc, and copper. This grouping helps the reader identify which metal each set of figures concerns. However, there is little progression beyond moving month by month, and the long strings of figures are difficult to follow. Repeated patterns such as “in January… in February…” and “next two month” do not clearly connect or compare information. Use paragraphs to group the overall trends—for example, the early-year changes and the mid-year decline/recovery—and add linking expressions such as “by contrast,” “while,” and “overall.” Clearer sentence boundaries would also make the sequence easier to understand.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic terms such as “price,” “change,” “same,” and “percent,” so the reader can recognise the subject and follow some of the data. However, the vocabulary is limited and repetitive, and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, including “price changes,” “next two month price into,” and “at the end copper price iwas into.” Spelling errors such as “averge,” “febuary,” “novmber,” and “augest” also reduce accuracy. Build a small range of precise trend language, such as “fell,” “recovered,” “remained stable,” and “reached a low,” and use “percentage change” consistently. This would help you describe patterns rather than rely on repeated number lists.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to report a sequence of events, but it relies almost entirely on simple, incomplete patterns such as “in January was 6%” and “in March was 1%.” Missing subjects and verbs, unclear tense choices, and faulty sentence construction occur frequently, making some relationships between months and figures difficult to interpret. For example, “next two month is same percentage” needs a clear subject and past-tense verb, while “next three month June july and augest was 1% change” does not form a complete, accurate sentence. Practise complete past-tense clauses, such as “Nickel fell to 1% in March and remained there in April,” and use punctuation to separate each comparison.

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

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