Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given line graph compares the average monthly fluctuation in three metal prices during 2014. It is clear from the graph that three metals showed a almost similar trend to each other in price fluctuations between the 12 months of the year.

In january Nickel price change to previous month is 6%.Then it decreased sgnificantly to 1 % change in March. Then it declined gradully and reached a all time low of -3% change in June. After that average monthly change in Nickel increased to -1% change in July and remained stable for 3 months. At the December average monthly price change in Nickelis stood at 1% change compare to previous month. However average monthly price change in Zinc showed the similar trend compare to Nickel whereas in the beginning it showed a increase from 1% to 3% between January and February.Also Copper folloowed he same trend as other two metals. finally three metals average monthly price change stood around 1% and 2 %

In conclusion, three metals showed a almost similar trend to each other in price fluctuations between the 12 months of the year.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and include several relevant figures, especially nickel’s fall from 6% in January to a low of -3% in June, followed by recovery. However, the overview is inaccurate: the metals did not show “a almost similar trend,” since nickel’s movements were much more pronounced, while copper changed comparatively little. The account of zinc and copper is also very brief, and the final claim that all three ended around 1% and 2% is imprecise: copper finished at about 1.5%, zinc at 2%, and nickel at 1%. To strengthen the response, give a clear overview of the contrasting patterns and select key turning points for all three series.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from nickel’s changes to zinc and copper, and it uses time markers such as “In January,” “After that,” and “Finally.” These help the reader follow the year. However, most information is compressed into one long paragraph, and the repeated conclusion restates the opening rather than summarising the main contrast. Connections between the metals are sometimes unclear, particularly in “However … Zinc showed the similar trend compare to Nickel” and the abrupt shift to copper. Organise the report into an introduction, a concise overview, and one or two detail paragraphs. Use comparisons to link related movements, rather than relying mainly on repeated “Then” and “After that.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “fluctuation,” “declined,” “increased,” “remained stable,” and “all time low.” This gives you a basic range for describing movement. However, several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, such as “average monthly price change” and “similar trend,” and some combinations are unnatural: “price change to previous month” and “stood around 1% and 2%.” Spelling errors, including “sgnificantly,” “gradully,” and “folloowed,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise chart language and vary the verbs appropriately—for example, distinguish a fall, a recovery, and a relatively stable period. Check spelling and use natural collocations when describing percentage changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a sequence of changes linked with “After that” and “whereas.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include “three metals showed a almost similar trend,” “Nickel price change to previous month is 6%,” and “At the December … stood … compare to previous month.” These show problems with articles, tense, sentence structure, and prepositions. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, with missing spaces after full stops and lower-case month names. Practise accurate past-tense reporting and build shorter, complete sentences before combining them. For example: “Nickel rose by 6% in January, then fell to 1% in March.”

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