Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-27

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 graph illustrates the information about three metals which price were changed monthly in 2014.

The price of metals were on lowest in the month of June.

The graph shows Zinc had 1 percent change in January and it increased in next month and comes on 3 percent. For next four months it prices was fall and in June it was on -1 percent. In next four months it shows ups and downs and remain on same point but in last months it rapidly increased and touch the line of 2. The second material Copper which was started from 2 percent in January shows continues decrease for next five months and it reached approximately just below than 0 in June but then it was increased slowly and reached between the line of 1 and 2 in December. At last the Nickel which was started from highest point at 6 percent shows rapid decrease for next 5 months and reached at -3 percent in June but then it also shows ups and downs in next 6 months and it touch the line of 1 after increase.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You cover all three metals and report several key movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall to about −3% in June, copper’s decline and later recovery, and zinc’s rise to 3% in February. However, the response only partly fulfils the summary task because it lacks a clear overview of the main pattern across the year. The statement that metal prices were “on lowest” in June is too broad: nickel and zinc are negative then, but copper is also negative and its lowest point is shared with May, while the metals’ later recoveries differ. Some details are imprecise, such as saying zinc shows “ups and downs” while remaining at the same point. Add a concise overview and make comparisons more exact.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence: it introduces the graph, gives a general statement, and then describes zinc, copper and nickel in turn. This makes the information reasonably easy to follow. However, the organisation is mostly a series-by-series account rather than a clear progression through the graph’s main stages, and the opening overview does not effectively guide the reader. Linking phrases such as “For next four months,” “In next four months,” and “At last” are repetitive or unclear, and the final sentence ends without a distinct concluding comparison. Grouping the metals’ shared mid-year decline and contrasting their year-end recovery would create stronger progression. Use more precise transitions to show time and contrast.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to identify the metals and describe movement, including “increased,” “decrease,” “rapidly,” and “approximately.” These choices generally communicate the broad trends. However, the range is limited and several word combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “price were changed monthly,” “was on −1 percent,” and “touch the line of 2.” Repeated reliance on “shows” and “increased” also makes the account less flexible. Choose standard graph language such as “the monthly price change,” “fell to −1%,” and “rose to 2%.” More precise verbs such as “fluctuated,” “recovered,” and “remained stable” would help distinguish the different patterns without changing the meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences with time clauses, for example, “For next four months it prices was fall and in June it was on −1 percent.” However, these complex attempts often contain errors, and the response relies heavily on simple subject–verb patterns. Agreement and verb forms are frequent problems: “The price of metals were,” “it prices was fall,” and “it was increased” should be revised to forms such as “metal prices were,” “its price fell,” and “it increased.” Articles and prepositions are also often missing or inaccurate, as in “in next month” and “in last months.” These errors sometimes make the timeline difficult to interpret. Practise accurate past-tense clauses and vary sentence structures while checking agreement and articles.

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

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