Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-31

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 5.0)

The graph illustrates the fluctuation in the prices of various metals in 30 days during 2014.

overall, initially Nickel was the most valuable metal but after two months nickel and zinc followed the same fluctuation pattern whereas, Copper also fluctuatted throughout the year.

commencing with the first metal, in begning of the year nickel was the most expensive among all metals and after that there was a drammatic decrease in the cost of Nickel with in two months and price declined from 6 to 1. However, the rate of Zinc increased from 1 to 3 and from march there was a similar pattern of Nickel and Zinc there was a slightly fell in both metals and, After march there was a significant dropped until June, again it rose for a month and remained same over three months. Moreover, there was a considerable increase for one month and it sta

on the other hand, Copper varyed through the period and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify relevant features, including nickel’s high starting point and its fall from about 6% to 1%, and you attempt to compare the metals. However, the response only minimally fulfils the task because the overview is unclear and several key trends are missing or inaccurately described. Nickel and zinc did not follow the same pattern after two months: nickel fell sharply to around −3% in June, while zinc declined more gradually to about −1%. The account also breaks off before completing the copper comparison and the final nickel/zinc changes. Give a clear overview of the main contrasts, then report the major rises and falls accurately across the year.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is an attempt to organise the response with an opening, an overview, and sequencing phrases such as “commencing with” and “on the other hand.” However, the progression is difficult to follow because the discussion shifts between metals and time periods without clear paragraphing or a consistent structure. The long sentence beginning “After march” combines several changes, making it unclear which metal each detail refers to; the final sentence is also unfinished. Organise the body into focused comparisons—for example, nickel and zinc together, followed by copper—and use clear time references and pronouns so each trend is easy to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonably varied set of trend vocabulary, including “dramatic decrease,” “declined,” “increased,” and “considerable increase,” which helps convey movement in the figures. However, several word choices and spelling errors reduce precision, such as “most valuable” for the highest monthly price change and “fluctuated” when describing a specific trend. There are also awkward combinations such as “significant dropped” and “slightly fell.” Choose terms that describe percentage changes rather than the metals’ value, and check spelling and word forms. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish a rise, a fall, and a period of stability.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences and use some subordinate clauses, for example, “although” is not used, but “after that” introduces a sequence and “whereas” attempts a contrast. However, complex sentences are often faulty or incomplete. In “there was a similar pattern … there was a slightly fell,” the clause structure is unclear, and “Moreover … it sta” is unfinished. Errors also appear in articles, agreement, and tense, as in “in begning of the year” and “Copper varyed.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation are inconsistent, particularly where several clauses are joined with commas. Use shorter, complete sentences first, then add controlled comparisons with accurate verb forms and punctuation.

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