Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-29

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 illustrate the information about the average change in the price of three different metals(copper, nickel and zinc) in the 2014 year.

Overall, nickel is at its peak at start as compare with other metals prices and the zinc which is the lowest in the price as compare with other in the start but in the end of period zinc had the highest price from other metals.

In the beginning of year, nickel had its peak with 6% change in price as compare with pervious month price; in next two months its reached in 1% in price as compare with older months; onward in June its reach its lowest point in price change about -3% and in next three months its still in one price change about -1% and in the end of this year its occur in 1%.

In the starting of this period the metal zinc is at 1% but in next month its touch its highest point 3% in price change and in next four its goes downwards and reached its lowest point in price in June and for next three months its stable and at the end of this year it is at highest price as compare with other metals; and the last metal copper fluctuate throughout the year and at the end its reached in middle in both metals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main broad movements: nickel begins with the strongest rise, falls sharply around June, and later recovers, while zinc rises early and ends strongly. However, the overview is not fully accurate: zinc is not the lowest at the start (copper is higher than zinc), and by December zinc is not clearly the highest, since its change is about 2% compared with copper at 1.5%. Some details are also unclear or incomplete, such as saying nickel stayed at “one price change” for three months and that zinc reached its lowest point in June, when its lowest value is around -1% in June and October. Select the key highs, lows and end-of-year comparisons more precisely, and distinguish price change from the price itself.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of nickel and zinc, with copper added at the end. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, the body paragraphs are long and crowded, and the final sentence combines several metals and comparisons, making the progression less clear. Linking phrases such as “in next two months,” “onward,” and “in the end” help show sequence, but they are repetitive and sometimes do not make the relationship between figures precise. Organise the details into clearer stages—for example, early-year movements and the mid-year decline/recovery—and use explicit comparisons between the three lines.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “peak,” “lowest point,” “fluctuate,” “stable,” and “price change,” so the reader can generally understand the trends you intend to describe. However, several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, including “its touch its highest point,” “reached in middle,” and “in one price change.” Repeated use of “as compare with” also limits precision and makes comparisons awkward. In addition, “price” is sometimes used where the graph shows the percentage change in price, which can confuse the meaning. Build a more accurate range of trend and comparison language, such as “rose to,” “fell to,” “remained steady at,” and “compared with,” and use it consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences to describe changes over time, and the response includes some sequencing clauses, such as “in next two months” and “in next three months.” However, these complex sentences are often difficult to control, with frequent problems in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction. Examples include “The line graph illustrate,” “its reached,” and “its still,” where the subject and verb forms do not agree or are incorrectly formed. Missing or incorrect articles and prepositions also appear in phrases such as “in the 2014 year” and “at start.” Several sentences run together with semicolons or repeated conjunctions, reducing clarity. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and divide long descriptions into shorter, complete sentences.

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