Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-28

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 illustrates the average monthly changes in the cost of copper, nickel and zinc during the 2014. Overall, it is apparent that copper was expensive at the start of the year and then price fluctuated over the timeframe, While nickel and zinc price was lower at the start of year and he fluctuated throughout the time period and then increased slightly.

The average price of nickel was 6% in January and then dropped to 1% in March. Moreover, the cost of nickel plummeted to -3% in June and then increased to -1 % in July and remained stable for three months. After September there was slight dropped in prices and then inclined to 1% in November and remained stable for next month.

To begin with, the cost of copper of was at 2% in January after that prices fluctuated throughout the year and then reached to 1% in July and remained same for three months. Before the price of copper rose in December the price slightly dropped. Similarly the zinc cost fluctuated throughout the year it was 1% in January and then increased slightly to 3% and then declined considerably to -1% in October. Furthermore, the price inclined to 2% in December.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main overall pattern—that nickel and zinc fall into negative monthly changes around mid-year and recover toward December—and include several relevant figures, such as nickel’s fall to -3% in June and copper’s rise to 2% in January. However, the overview is not fully accurate: copper did not begin as the most expensive metal, since nickel was highest at 6%, and nickel and zinc were not lower than copper at the start. Some details are also imprecise: nickel’s decline after September reaches -2% in October, while zinc falls to about -1% in October after a gradual decline. To strengthen the response, give a clearer overview of the contrasting peaks and mid-year downturn, and compare the three series more directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an opening overview followed by discussion of nickel and then copper and zinc. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and sequencing words such as “Moreover,” “After September,” and “Furthermore” help signal movement through the year. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the overview combines several trends in a long sentence, and the final paragraph shifts between copper and zinc without a clear comparison. Some linking phrases are awkward or do not show the relationship precisely, such as “Before the price of copper rose in December.” Organise the body by shared periods or contrasting metals, and use clearer references to months and trends to make the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “plummeted,” “fluctuated,” “remained stable,” and “declined considerably,” which helps describe changes rather than simply list figures. The meaning is generally understandable, but some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. For example, “the cost of nickel” and “zinc cost” are less natural here than “the price of nickel/zinc,” while “there was slight dropped” and “then inclined” do not express the changes idiomatically. “Expensive” also suggests an absolute price, whereas the graph shows monthly percentage changes. Aim for precise terms such as “monthly price change,” “fell,” “recovered,” and “rose,” and vary them appropriately without using a change verb where a noun is needed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including sequences joined with “and then” and clauses beginning “While” and “Before.” The main trends can usually be understood, but some grammatical errors recur and occasionally make relationships unclear. Examples include “during the 2014” (article use), “nickel and zinc price was” (agreement and plural form), and “the cost of copper of was” (unnecessary preposition). The opening sentence also joins clauses with a comma and then an incorrectly capitalised “While.” There are further issues in “remained same” and “remained stable for next month.” Check articles, subject–verb agreement, and sentence boundaries, and use a consistent past-tense structure when reporting the 2014 data.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.