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 given line graph illustrates that the average monthly varies in the costs of three elements; copper, nickel and zinc during the time period of 2014.

Overall, at the beginning of january the price of nickel was higher than any of other whereas it cost slightly dropped in june month. Meanwhile, the price of zinc fluctuated over the time and faced various changes and in the end of december the price of it was more than other.

While starting the price of nickel changed with 6% which end up with 1% at the end of december. Similarly, the price of copper stayed the same as it was in the start (2%). On the other hand, zinc faced various variations due to which we can see a lot of changes in its price over the period of 12months which rose up from 1 to 2% and was highest than other. Additionally, the most seenable changed was seen with nickel which almost goes to -3%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main overall contrast: nickel begins at the highest level, falls sharply around June, and copper and zinc finish higher than their mid-year lows. However, several details are inaccurate or unclear. Nickel does not simply “end up with 1%” after its June fall; it recovers to 1% in November and remains there in December. Copper does not stay at its starting level: it falls below zero in May and June before recovering to 1.5% in December. The overview also says zinc is higher than the other metals at the end, but nickel and zinc are both about 1% in December, while copper is higher. Select and compare these key movements more precisely, and support the overview with accurate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and a final paragraph containing details. This gives the reader a coherent overall arrangement. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Meanwhile,” and “On the other hand” help signal relationships between points. However, the progression within the final paragraph is not always clear: it moves from nickel to copper, then zinc, and back to nickel without a consistent comparison pattern. Some references, such as “it” in “the price of it,” are also unclear. Organise the details by trend or by metal, and use clearer references and transitions so comparisons are easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “fluctuated,” “variations,” “rose,” and “dropped,” and the reader can generally understand the intended trends. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “monthly varies in the costs,” “changed with 6%,” and “most seenable changed.” “Elements” is also imprecise for metals, and “cost” is not the best choice when describing price changes. These errors limit precision, particularly when reporting comparisons. Use standard graph language such as “monthly percentage change in prices,” “stood at 6%,” and “the most pronounced fall,” and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “whereas,” “which,” and “due to which.” The main message is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “the average monthly varies” lacks a suitable noun phrase, and “which end up with 1%” has an incorrect verb form and unclear reference. In “the price of copper stayed the same as it was in the start (2%),” the sentence structure does not express the intended comparison accurately. There are also issues with articles, agreement and punctuation, including the opening list of metals. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences around clear subjects and verbs.

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

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