Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-30

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)

In the year 2014, the market of three metals fluctuate and the graph illustrate the data of each month.

There is an average monthly change in the price of each metal which are zinc, copper and nickel. Firstly, if we take zinc we can see only in the winters we can see rise of price other than summers. From Feb to Oct the price remains as low as it can get.

If we see the trend of copper the price dropped in the months of feb to june majorly. We can see a hype in july and steady price till sept and then a minor drop of prices in oct and nov. A little rise happen in the last month of the year.

In compare to other two nickel performs badly. Nickel shows dramatically different behaviour as it was 6 percent in the first month and then it dropped by 2 percent in the next month. It did not stopped in the month of march it was dropped by 1 percent and we can see it dropping each month accordingly. June was the worst month for the sales of nickel as it touches almost the bottom. Next few months were compartively better and have steady price. Last 2 months were even better as it rises to 1 percent

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify all three metals and describe several broad movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall, copper’s later recovery, and zinc’s rise near year-end. However, the account only partially selects and reports the main features: it lacks a clear overview of the overall pattern, and some descriptions are inaccurate or unclear. For example, zinc did not remain especially low from February to October; it fluctuated, then fell below zero from June to October before rising in November and December. Copper’s decline was mainly from January to May, not through June. Nickel’s final two months both rose to about 1%, rather than continuing to rise. A concise overview and more accurate comparisons would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence: it introduces the chart, then discusses zinc, copper and nickel in separate sections. This gives the reader a basic route through the information. However, progression is not always clear, and some linking phrases are repetitive or awkward, such as “If we see the trend” and “In compare to other two.” The zinc paragraph also repeats “we can see” and gives a broad claim that is difficult to follow. Use a clear overview before the detail paragraphs, group related trends, and connect comparisons directly—for example, contrast nickel’s steep fall with copper’s smaller changes. This would make the organisation more purposeful and cohesion less mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant chart vocabulary, including “dropped,” “steady,” “rise,” and “percent,” so the main trends are usually recognisable. There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “dramatically different behaviour.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing price changes. “Hype” is not suitable for a rise in a graph, “performs badly” and “sales” do not accurately describe monthly percentage changes in prices, and “as low as it can get” is imprecise. Spelling and word-form slips such as “comparitively” and “rises” also reduce control. Choose precise terms such as “increased,” “declined,” and “recovered,” and use them consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can generally understand the intended trends. However, control is uneven, with frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction. For example, “the market … fluctuate” should use a past-tense verb, while “the graph illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement. In “A little rise happen,” the verb form is incorrect, and “it did not stopped” combines the auxiliary with an incorrect past form. Some sentences also become difficult to follow because clauses are joined without clear structure. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build complex sentences around one clear main clause; this will improve readability while retaining variety.

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.