Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-01

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 illustrates changes happend in the prices of copper, nickel and zinc every month in 2014.

Overall, The prices of copper, nickel and zinc fluctuated significantly in 2014, all of the three metals shifted: prices of nickel was ranked the most expensive in the beginnig and dominates the trends , after that copper and in the lowest zinc. However, it shifted between copper and nickel.

Nickel prices experienced the greatest fluctuations throughout the year, beginnig with 6 % where it was the most costly and its peak, then oscillated and declined sharply to -3% in Juin and it was the lowest prices recorded in 2014, nevertheless it saw a notable increase to 1 in both November and December.

On the other hand, copper fluctuated along the period however still remain in the same rank, commencing by 2% in the beginnig and approximatly -0.5% in juin surpassing the two other metals, then growth to around 1.5% in December. Finnaly, zinc prices with verried as well it recorded 1% in January, to -1% in Juin then climbing gradually in December to 2% the most costly in that month.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the three metals and report several important movements, including nickel’s high starting point and sharp fall to about −3% in June, followed by a recovery, as well as zinc’s rise to 2% in December. However, the overview is unclear and partly misinterprets the graph: it describes prices as “most expensive” and ranks the metals, although the chart shows monthly percentage changes, not price levels. The claim that copper “still remain[s] in the same rank” is also unsupported, and its December change is about 1.5%, not a clear rise in price level. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of the shared mid-year decline and late-year recovery, and compare the monthly changes accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of nickel, copper and zinc. This gives the reader a workable route through the information, and phrases such as “On the other hand” signal a shift in focus. However, progression is weakened by the unclear overview, especially “it shifted between copper and nickel,” where the reference is uncertain. Some linking is mechanical or does not express the relationship precisely, as in “nevertheless” before the November–December recovery. Grouping the metals by shared stages—early-year movement, the June fall, and the later recovery—would create clearer comparisons and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a useful range of trend vocabulary, including “fluctuated,” “oscillated,” “declined sharply,” “notable increase” and “climbing gradually.” These choices show awareness of the language needed to describe a graph. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “most costly” and “most expensive” describe price levels rather than percentage changes, while “dominates the trends” and “prices … shifted” are unclear. Spelling errors such as “beginnig,” “approximatly,” “Finnaly” and “verried” are also noticeable. Use precise terms such as “recorded the largest monthly increase” and “fell to the lowest monthly change,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer, linked sentences, for example the sentence beginning “Nickel prices experienced the greatest fluctuations…” This gives some variety, but complex sentences are often faulty, and errors sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. Examples include “prices of nickel was ranked,” which has subject–verb disagreement and an unsuitable passive construction, and “copper fluctuated … however still remain,” which has faulty tense and sentence joining. Articles, punctuation and capitalisation are also inconsistent, as in “Overall, The prices…” and the run-on structure around “then oscillated and declined sharply.” Build shorter, accurate sentences first, then add subordinate clauses and connectors while checking agreement, tense and punctuation.

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