Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The line graph illustrate the three metals cost change in average months during 2014.

Overall,the prices of tow type of metal nickel or copper decreased steadily over the month of feburary but the zinc followed the opposite trend and moderate increased ,but in contrast zinc is increased

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response identifies the graph’s subject and attempts an overall comparison, but it does not adequately summarise the main features. The claim that nickel and copper “decreased steadily” is inaccurate: nickel fell sharply from a high in January, while copper’s changes were much smaller and it rose again later. The statement that zinc “followed the opposite trend” is too vague and is repeated inconsistently. There are no clear details about the metals’ contrasting monthly movements or their late-year recovery. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the task minimally addressed. To improve, provide a clear overview and select several accurate comparisons across the year, supported by approximate figures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, beginning with an introduction and then an overview marked by “Overall”. This gives the reader a simple starting structure. However, the response ends after one incomplete overview sentence, so there is no progression through the graph’s key stages or supporting details. The sentence beginning “Overall” combines several claims with commas and “but,” making the relationships between them difficult to follow; “in contrast” then introduces a point that appears to repeat the earlier claim about zinc. Use separate, clearly focused sentences and organise the description chronologically or by contrasting patterns. Linking expressions should clarify comparisons rather than repeat or contradict them.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a small set of relevant terms, including “line graph,” “prices,” “decreased,” and “increased,” so the general topic is recognisable. However, the vocabulary is limited and some choices are inaccurate or awkward for describing data. “Three metals cost change in average months” does not clearly express monthly percentage changes, while “moderate increased” is not a natural collocation. Spelling errors such as “tow” and “feburary” also reduce accuracy. Build a more precise range for trends, such as “fluctuated,” “fell sharply,” and “recovered,” and use phrases like “monthly percentage change in prices.” Check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a complex overview sentence, but grammatical control is inconsistent. The opening has a subject–verb agreement error in “The line graph illustrate,” and “Overall,the” lacks a space after the comma. In the longer sentence, the comparison structure is difficult to control: “nickel or copper decreased” does not clearly express the intended relationship, and “zinc followed the opposite trend and moderate increased” contains faulty sentence construction. The final clause, “but in contrast zinc is increased,” is also grammatically unclear and repeats the comparison. Use accurate simple sentences first, then add controlled contrast clauses, for example, “Nickel fell sharply, whereas copper changed only slightly.” Check agreement, verb forms, and punctuation.

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