Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The graph illustratres the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Overall, average monthly change in prices is mostly appear in nickel and other two metal prices falling slightly after every month. In comparison, price of nickel rapidly decreased in june than others.

In the first month, prices of copper,nickel,zinc changed. Nickel 6%, Zinc 1% and Copper 2%. In 2nd and 3rd month, nickel 4% to1%, zinc 3%to 2% and copper 1% to 0.5% down.

In april, zinc is 1.5 percent, nickel 1% and copper 0.5% falling. In next two months the average decreasing ratio is 1.5 to -0.5 percent.

Nickel, abruptly decreased -3% in june moreover others decreased slightly.Three months later, all metal's prices almost remain stable on same percentage. In october, nickel price decreased more -2% than other metals. In last two months, average changed in prices is 2% to 1% during 2014.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the three metals and include several relevant figures, such as nickel’s 6% rise in January and its fall to -3% in June. You also note that nickel’s June decline was sharper than the changes for copper and zinc. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: the other metals do not fall after every month, and all three show increases in November and December. Some details are also difficult to interpret, particularly “the average decreasing ratio is 1.5 to -0.5 percent” and the final claim that prices changed from 2% to 1%. The response is 137 words, below the 150-word minimum. Add a clear overview and report the main trends and comparisons more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to monthly details, so the reader can recognise the intended sequence. However, progression is uneven: the overview is vague, and the body shifts between months without consistently explaining how the metals compare. Phrases such as “In next two months” and “Three months later” do not make the time references sufficiently clear, while “moreover” is awkwardly attached to the June comparison. Grouping the data into clearer phases—early-year changes, the mid-year fall, and the recovery at year-end—would make the organisation more logical. Use linking expressions selectively and ensure each one accurately shows the relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “average monthly change,” “decreased,” “stable,” and “rapidly,” and the reader can generally identify the metals and trends being discussed. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear. For example, “average decreasing ratio” does not clearly describe a percentage change, and “prices is mostly appear” makes the overview difficult to understand. “Changed in prices” is also imprecise when describing the final months. Spelling errors such as “illustratres” and inconsistent forms such as “metal prices” reduce control. Aim for precise expressions such as “monthly percentage change,” “fell sharply,” and “recovered,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer structures, including comparisons with “than others” and time phrases such as “In the first month.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. Examples include “average monthly change in prices is mostly appear,” “In april, zinc is 1.5 percent,” and “Nickel, abruptly decreased,” which show problems with verb forms, tense, and sentence construction. There are also missing articles and inconsistent punctuation, as in “In 2nd and 3rd month” and “decreased -3% in june moreover.” Use the past tense consistently for the 2014 data, form complete sentences, and punctuate clauses clearly. Practising accurate simple comparisons before adding complex clauses will improve control.

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